Universities Australia has condemned all forms of coercion, on campus, or in the classroom, or elsewhere in the community following the release by Human Rights Watch of a new report alleging coercion of students and staff.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said:

Thursday will see the first major meeting of the university sector and its leadership since COVID-19 closed Australia’s international borders and upended the lives of staff, students and their communities.

More than 30 years ago, Keith Lurie, an American researcher in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), heard a strange story. One of his patients had suffered an apparent heart attack while at home. The strange part was he was revived by his son using, of all things, a toilet plunger to compress his father’s chest.

In studies dating back to the 1960s, researchers proved a direct link between uncertainty and stress. And if we didn’t quite believe it then, 2020 had rammed it home.

Catriona Jackson, Chief Executive, Universities Australia.

Address to the National Press Club by Universities Australia Chair, Professor Deborah Terry.

Thank you for inviting us to provide evidence today. I would like to note three things briefly to assist the committee.