Inquiry Questions Government’s Ability to Stop University Collaborations with Iran

Senator Maria Kovacic questioned officials about why universities were still collaborating with Iranian scientists despite repeated government warnings.

Iranian Basij militia members display their drones during military manoeuvres in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 10, 2025. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

The Education Department has faced scrutiny over whether Australia’s research security framework is adequate after it was revealed that some university collaborations with Iranian institutions continued despite repeated government warnings to cease them.

The issue was raised at a recent Senate Estimates hearing by the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee.