The University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s most prestigious universities, has expelled two students and suspended two others for their involvement in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

The decision marks a further shift to outlaw political free speech on the campuses and more broadly and must be opposed by students, staff and all those who defend basic democratic rights. It comes amid a deepening offensive spearheaded by the federal Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to outlaw opposition to Israel’s genocidal assault on the Palestinian people which Australian imperialism, along with the major powers in North America and Europe, has supported for the last year and a half.