Historic SGM votes for QUT to divest from Israel

Students from the Queensland University of Technology voted for the university to disclose and cut ties with weapons companies fueling the war on Gaza and to divest from Israel.

Leaders of the Students for Palestine QUT called for a special general meeting on campus to vote on this motion last Thursday, as the university’s centre of robotics collaborates and contributes financially to Boeing, Thales, Rheinmetall and the US Air Force.

We interviewed students waiting in-line for the SGM about why they attended and their hopes for the university's next steps following the vote. Before the SGM kicked off, I interviewed Erin Milne (centre photo, right) to hear more about the three questions students voted on, as well as how the university is tied with Israel.

Companies who have been supplying arms and bombs, as well as abetting the war crimes committed on Palestinians.

For the SGM to go ahead, at least 270 students had to attend to meet quorum and 300 yes votes were required for the motion to pass.

In a historic turnout, 650 students filled a lecture hall at Gardens Point Campus to vote on QUT’s divestment from Israel – marking it one of the biggest pro-Palestine gatherings throughout the university’s history.

It ended in an overwhelming success, with 576 students voting for, and 70 against the motion to cut ties.

4ZZZ journalist Arissa Ausrin and I attended the SGM to vote and hear the arguments from both sides of the motion. I also interviewed Students For Palestine QUT co-convener Erin Milne to learn more about the university’s ties with Israel and the three questions students voted on.

Our package was on the airwaves today from 12-1pm on 102.1FM. If you missed it, listen back to it by pressing the button below.