The People’s Inquiry was established in response to concerns by activists, academics, students, and lawyers, who believe that the rights of freedom of speech and assembly on Australian university campuses have come under challenge in recent years. Students, university staff, and the general public may be affected by these restrictions.

The inquiry has published an Interim Report outlining some preliminary findings from the over 150 submissions from university staff and students across the country detailing their experiences of censorship, harassment, and intimidation on the basis of their speech or actions in support of Palestine.