A nationwide student vote has slammed the Albanese Government over its ‘complicity’ in the Gaza genocide, with a resounding majority voting in favour of sanctions on Israel and an end to weapons companies on campus.
The National Student Referendum on Palestine, organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) between August 20-28, involved 5,247 students from more than 20 universities, making it one of the biggest nationwide student votes in Australian history.
The referendum was triggered by growing opposition to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has killed more than 63,000 people – 70% of them women and children.
On 3 August, more than 300,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of Palestine and to demand an end to the Albanese Government’s support of Israel’s invasion and humanitarian blockade of Gaza.
Demonstrations in late 2023 to mid‑2024 saw mass campus encampments, including Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, Tasmania, UNE, Curtin, La Trobe, WSU, including widespread public marches.
Over 600 students voted at the University of Melbourne and more than 400 students at RMIT and the University of Sydney, joined by thousands of other students on campuses across the country.
Student action reminiscent of Vietnam War protests
James McVicar, Education Officer at the National Union of Students, said the Gaza conflict has triggered a new wave of Vietnam War-style campus protests across Australia.
“While there is a long history of university students driving radical movements, the neoliberal assault on the universities was also an attack on campus political engagement,” McVicar told The Educator.
“Now, I think we’re seeing a revival of campus activism in response to the complicity of our government and the crimes of empire, like during the Vietnam War.”
McVicar said it is worth saying that NUS’ movement has already had some key victories.
“At RMIT, where I study, the Students for Palestine group was part of a successful campaign against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems,” he said.
“Recently, the University of Melbourne announced they’re pausing the construction of their weapons campus at Fisherman’s Bend, which was the target of a recent Student General Meeting organised by the Students for Palestine group there.”
McVicar said the tide is turning as students force universities to confront their ties to militarism.
“The Vice-Chancellors know there is a lot riding on their lucrative partnerships with weapons manufacturers, but now they know that students aren’t going to let them get away with it.”