United States Takes Stronger Stance Against Australian Universities for Political Views
The first Australian university to lose funding due to questioning its views and connections is the Australian National University (ANU). The reasons for the funding cuts are not entirely clear at this point. The United States has started sending questionnaires to Australian universities and researchers regarding their political and social stances as part of the funding decisions process.
In 2024, the U.S. contributed $386 million (US$243 million) to Australian academic research, making it the country’s largest research partner. The Trump administration has been cracking down on pro-Palestine protests and encampments at universities in the U.S.
ANU publicly supported student activism, including encampments and faced scrutiny for its handling of anti-Semitism incidents. ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell defended the university’s stance after an investigation found that offensive gestures were misunderstood. Politicians, including Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns, raised concerns over these incidents at ANU.
There were 10 official complaints of anti-Semitism by staff and students at ANU in 2024. The university was contacted for further comments on the issue.
The U.S. has been posing 36 questions to universities and researchers, asking about their connections to countries like Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran. This scrutiny has caused alarm among Australian university leaders, warning that long-term research projects could be jeopardized. The Group of Eight, representing major research facilities in Australia, has opposed the U.S.’s approach and called for intervention by the federal government.
Education Minister Jason Clare has been approached for comment on this matter.
