Offensive flyers targeting Chinese students found at Melbourne universities
Updated
Racist flyers directed at Chinese students have been found at two Melbourne universities.
Melbourne University student Lisa Lu tweeted that she was "shocked" to see the post on the east gate of the Doug McDonnell building at Melbourne University on Monday.
The flyer, written in simplified Chinese characters, said Chinese people were not allowed into the building, otherwise they would be deported.
"I don't know who would do this on the very first day of the new semester," Ms Lu said on Twitter.
"Even [if] it's a joke, IT'S NOT FUNNY AT ALL."
Melbourne University security staff immediately removed the flyers and gave CCTV images to Victoria Police for investigation.
The university said it did not "tolerate activities of hatred and intolerance".
"We are committed to maintaining and strengthening a vibrant, inclusive and respectful campus community in which diversity is recognised, valued and celebrated," the university said in a statement.
"Our university campus is open to the public.
"There is no evidence the flyers were produced or distributed by anyone associated with the university."
Monash slams 'hate-filled posters'
The posters were also found at Monash University, which strongly condemned them.
"Our security teams became aware of a number of offensive, racist and hate-filled posters on poster boards at the Clayton campus," it said in a Facebook post.
"We actioned immediately, removing all the posters and contacting student leaders. Since then, we have contacted the local police and Monash City Council.
"The university finds this material and associated behaviour reprehensible. This disgusting behaviour has occurred before at Monash and other Australian universities and the community is sick of it."
The university said it had handed over CCTV to police and urged the community to show support and reassurance to anyone affected by the flyers or commentary around them.
Sophie Johnston, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), said the "bigoted" posters carried the NUS logo, which had been used without permission.
She said a second group of posters also included Nazi content.
Ms Johnston said a search of social media traced the material back to an organisation called Antipodean Resistance.
In a post on Twitter showing the flyers, the organisation said it had "pranked non-whites".
Ms Johnston said the union was contacting its legal representatives about the breach of copyright.
It is not yet clear if Victoria Police has decided to investigate.
Topics: race-relations, community-and-society, university-and-further-education, education, melbourne-3000, vic
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