The vice-chancellor of one of Queensland’s biggest educational institutions has apologised over a presentation that sparked outrage in the Jewish community.
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has apologised for any hurt caused by a controversial slideshow that profiled conservative Jewish people as “Dutton’s Jew,” during a conference on anti-racism.
Schwartz took aim at right or conservative-leaning Israel supporters during her speech, including what she termed “Christian Zionists.”
She also shared a slide with a caricature of a superhero with the initials DJ, for “Dutton’s Jew,” implying that Jews who support Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are subservient and favoured by the Coalition leader.
The slide listed a number of apparently undesirable features of Australia’s conservative Jewish community in bullet form, such as wanting to “defend Western civilisation and Australian culture.”
The session sparked a sharp response from political leaders and the Jewish community.
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“The material coming out of the Queensland University of Technology was shocking and personally, I have seen some truly stupid things, but that was about as irresponsible as I’ve seen in the last 18 months,” said Labor MP Josh Burns in a statement to The Australian newspaper.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil apologised.
“Seeing the slide, I understand why the presentation has caused significant offence, and I am sorry for the hurt caused to anyone within, and outside, the QUT community,” she told The Epoch Times.
“I will undertake to review the circumstances of this presentation and take any action necessary.
“As for the appropriateness of speakers on the main program, it is important that universities continue to engage in rigorous discussion and debate about the issues so important to our time.
“It is equally important that this is done in a way that is respectful and safe.”
Schwartz Not a QUT Staff Member
A QUT spokesperson said the National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action was a chance for “leading anti-racist researchers and practitioners to explore strategies for addressing systemic racism, locally and globally.”
“QUT has robust policies around academic freedom and freedom of expression, but similarly on anti-discrimination and any form of racism. That includes no tolerance for hate speech at any forum.”
The university said the slide, shared by human rights lawyer Schwartz, who does not belong to QUT, had caused “significant concern.”
“QUT staff were not aware of the content of that slide in advance and in no way endorse the content shared in that slide,” the spokesperson said.
