LABOR and the Coalition yesterday condemned Melbourne University for allowing gender segregation at campus Islamic events, with Tony Abbott branding the practice "a leap back into the dark ages".

The Opposition Leader said it was un-Australian, criticising Melbourne University for refusing to condemn the practice.

"I can't understand for a second why Melbourne University would tolerate it," Mr Abbott said.

"I would expect members of parliament who want to see a fair and decent and passionate society which treats women equally . . . to be up in arms about this."

At an April 13 lecture on Islamic Jihad in Syria, signs directed "sisters" to the back of the theatre and "brothers" to the front.

Gender segregation was also encouraged at an information session for prospective Australian Islamic Peace Conference volunteers held by the Islamic Research and Educational Academy at the university's Public Lecture Theatre on March 10.








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The university said last night in a statement it was investigating the issue, after saying on Thursday the events were held by external organisations and it would not intervene to prevent the practice.

"The university is looking into the matter. We have not received any complaints from those who attended the event, with the exception of the journalist from The Australian," a spokeswoman said.

"The lecture was not part of a university course but rather was an external event in which an organisation not affiliated with the University hired our facilities.

"It is a not-for-profit organisation involved in charity and community projects and has previously booked venues at the university -- we have received no complaints regarding its events.

"We take any complaint about the events at the university extremely seriously and will continue to do so."

Mr Abbott said that the university's initial decision not to intervene to stop the segregation was unacceptable.

"I find that absolutely extraordinary that a great liberal institution would take a huge leap back into the dark ages," he said.

Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins described the decision by Melbourne University as disappointing.

"Reports of gender segregation at public events held at Melbourne University are disappointing," she said.

"Custom, tradition or religious consideration should be no reason to deny women equal rights.

"The Australian government is working hard to remove all barriers to women's full and equal participation in the workplace, in the community and in civic and political life.

"The opposition's only notable contribution to antidiscrimination has been a threat to strip away protection against racial vilification."

Opposition spokeswoman for the status of women Michaelia Cash called on Julia Gillard, who attended the university, and Ms Collins to condemn the gender segregation on campus.

"The Coalition strongly supports gender equality and will not tolerate any culture or society in Australia that refuses to accept this fundamental principle of gender equality," Senator Collins said.

"Women in Australian society are equal to men regardless of their race, religion and sex, and we recognise women and men as co-contributors to the economic and social wellbeing of Australia."

University of Melbourne gender politics professor Sheila Jeffrey's said on Thursday she was shocked to learn that this "form of subordinating women" was taking place on an Australian university campus, saying it was "a Rosa Parks moment".

"The university is looking into the matter. We have not received any complaints from those who attended the event, with the exception of the journalist from The Australian," a spokeswoman said.

"The lecture was not part of a university course but rather was an external event in which an organisation not affiliated with the University hired our facilities.

"It is a not-for-profit organisation involved in charity and community projects and has previously booked venues at the university -- we have received no complaints regarding its events.

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So the university hires the room out to a non-affiliated organisation - does it then have a right to dictate how that organisation runs their event? Sure you can understand it if they were denying women entry or something similar - but not over seating arrangements.

I didn't say I was happy with it, I'm just asking what right does the uni have in dictating how this event is run - given that it is a non-affiliated organisation that simply hired out one of their rooms? Especially when no one from the event even complained to the uni.

What right do Muslims have to impose gender segregation in this society?

I say, old boy, we could equally ask what right a lower-brau untermenschen has to ask for lubrication when he’s being buggered. Still, you always ask.

And I am always happy to oblige.

I do feel these small courtesies separate our two classes, don’t you?

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 28^th, 2013 at 12:02am:



There is no specific law to prevent an event organiser to send Muslims to the back of the room then.

ANyway, it is telling how you immediately latch onto the legality or otherwise of importing your cultural norms.
That this is not the cultural norm here makes no difference to you. All you are interested in is the exploitation of the law to your advantage. This is why you come across as a hostile aliens.