Albanese government supports most recommendations of parliamentary report into foreign interference in the higher education sector

Luke Cass

The Albanese Government on Tuesday released its response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security report on foreign interference risks to Australia’s higher education and research sector.

The report made 27 recommendations, of which the Federal government supports twelve, supports nine in principle and “notes” five.

Among the recommendations supported by the government include allowing students who fear being surveilled by their home government to be able to submit assignments anonymously; allowing universities to individually appoint “an accountable authority” which is responsible for managing foreign interference risk; and the creation of a working group on intimidation of students by foreign powers.

The government supported in principle investigating the adequacy of current penalties for