2 Current developments Initiatives to promote anti-racism and improve the experience of staff and students in the university sector have been underway for some time. The focus on these issues has intensified since the announcement of the Study by the Department of Education in May 2024 and the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities. This section maps developments, as well as initiatives from the government and the university sector, with reference to emerging issues and considerations for the Study. 2.1 Inquiry into a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill In July 2024, the Senate referred the Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 (the Bill) to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee (the Inquiry). The purpose of the Bill was to establish a commission of inquiry with Royal Commission-like powers to comprehensively investigate and report on the prevalence, causes and impacts of antisemitism in Australian universities. The scope of the inquiry included examining the experiences of students and staff, the responses of universities and the effectiveness of existing mechanisms in addressing antisemitism. The Inquiry received 669 submissions and conducted two public hearings. These submissions came from a broad range of stakeholders, including the Jewish community and student groups, universities, unions, government, advocacy groups, academics and individuals with lived experience of antisemitism on campus. The Inquiry examined issues related to: • the experience on campus • university response • purpose and scope of the Bill • commission of inquiry mechanism • matters for inquiry by a commission • actions of regulators • alternative mechanisms for addressing antisemitism and other responses. Insights and evidence from the Inquiry inform initial insights in this Interim Report and are considered in Part 4. 18