Compliance Obligations for Higher Education Providers Regarding Gender-Based Violence
Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence - Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025
Senate
House of Representatives
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Jason Clare MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Katy Gallagher ALP
“I present the explanatory memoranda and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted.”
Jonathon Duniam LIB
“It’s a pleasure to rise to speak to the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and the related bill, the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence - Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025.”
Larissa Waters GRN
“I rise today to speak in strong support of the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025.”
Paul Scarr LIB
“At the outset, I acknowledge the role that Senator Waters played in the Senate inquiry into current and proposed sexual consent laws in Australia, which went through the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, and thank her for her role and ongoing advocacy in relation to these issues. I note that Senator Green is going to be speaking after me— Senator Green: Yes, I wanted to.”
Ellie Whiteaker ALP
“It’s my absolute pleasure to rise this evening and talk to the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence - Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025.”
Mehreen Faruqi GRN
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, which sets up a code to prevent and respond to gender based violence in higher education. Every year, our nation is shaken by violence against women, and a wave of public outcry happens against this gendered violence.”
Leah Blyth LIB
“Creating a national code to prevent and respond to gender based violence in universities is, of course, a noble intention, and the coalition is supporting the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025.”
Nita Green ALP
“I’m really pleased to be standing in this place and speaking on such an important piece of legislation as the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill. I want to begin by expressing my gratitude to Minister Clare and to all in the government who have worked so hard to get us to this point today.”
Sarah Henderson LIB
“I rise to join with my colleagues in indicating the coalition does strongly support the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and its purpose, and that is to establish a national code to prevent and respond to gender based violence in higher education.”
Deborah O'Neill ALP
“Across this country, students walk through the gates of our universities with a sense of hope—hope for the opportunity to study, hope for knowledge and hope for the freedom necessary to create the context in which you can learn and grow.”
Maria Kovacic LIB
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence - Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025.”
Charlotte Walker ALP
“I note that this is not my first speech. I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025. This is the time of year when universities across the country are holding their university open days. Attending a university open day is an exciting experience for so many young people.”
Richard Dowling ALP
“I note this is not my first speech. No student should be forced to choose between their education and their safety. For years now, the evidence has been clear and deeply troubling with respect to gender based violence in higher education communities, and specifically I refer to sexual assault and harassment.”
“I wish I was not having to speak on this issue. I long for the day when we, as a parliament—indeed, as a community—do not know the meaning of gender based violence because it’s no longer part of our lexicon. But, sadly, that is not the case. That is not the world we live in, even in 2025. Students and staff in any workplace need to feel safe.”
Jess Walsh ALP
“These bills provide for the establishment and enforcement of a national higher education code to prevent and respond to gender based violence. They are an important step in making students and staff safer on our campuses. I thank senators across the chamber for their contributions to this debate. I note the second reading amendment from Senator Duniam.”
Jason Clare ALP
“I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time.”
Sharon Claydon ALP
“I rise to lend my strong support to this landmark piece of legislation introduced by the minister just now on behalf of the Albanese Labor government, one that addresses a critical issue facing our universities and indeed all of Australia, and that is gender based violence.”
Julian Leeser LIB
“I want to begin by thanking my friend the member for Newcastle for facilitating my participation in this debate on what is a busy day in the House.”