To Deborah Terry AC and the University of Queensland,
My name is Ian Curr, I am an alumnus of the University of Queensland, the Education Vice President of the UQ students union in 1976-77 and former staff member.
I am writing to you in support of the students and BDS Youth Magandjin in their campaign for Boycotts, Divestments, and Sanctions (BDS) at the University of Queensland (UQ). I am urging UQ to end its complicity in genocide, war crimes, and illegal settlements.
In June 2024, the United Nations special rapporteur released a new report mapping the corporations aiding Israel in the displacement of Palestinians and its genocidal conduct, in breach of international law.[1] The report presents that Israel’s procurement of F-35 fighter jets is part of the world’s largest arms procurement programme, relying on at least 1,600 companies across eight nations, led by Lockheed Martin.[2]
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the largest Palestinian civil society coalition leading the global BDS movement, calls on grassroots movements across the globe to escalate pressure against companies and institutions complicit in the F-35 program.[3]
The UN report has identified F-35s, produced by Lockheed Martin, as being used in “emblematic” cases of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on Gaza that led to ‘high numbers of civilian fatalities and widespread destruction of civilian objects.’[4]
The Sensitive Research Statement updated by the University of Queensland on the 31st of July 2025 demonstrates that UQ has current research agreements with Lockheed Martin which exceeds $3.3m (AUD).[5] This is a decrease from the University’s ties with Lockheed Martin in 2024, which was estimated to be in excess of $4.8m.[6]
It is important to note that the University of Queensland has only agreed to “partially disclose” its ties with weapons manufacturing companies in a deal made with UQ Muslim Students for Palestine & BDS Youth Magandjin. The extent of its ties with Lockheed Martin may be considerably higher than listed.
As a student / alumni / staff / community member, I demand UQ divest from Lockheed Martin effective immediately as they are a corporation implicated in violations of international law and conduct aiding genocide, as per the UN report.
Yours Sincerely,
Ian Curr BSc Grad Dip ATAX UNSW
18 June 2026
[1] Marsi, F. (2025, 1st July). UN report lists companies complicit in Israel’s “genocide”: Who are they? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/un-report-lists-companies-complicit-in-israels-genocide-who-are-they
[2] Marsi, F. (2025, 1st July). UN report lists companies complicit in Israel’s “genocide”: Who are they? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/un-report-lists-companies-complicit-in-israels-genocide-who-are-they
[3] Ground Genocidal Israel’s F-35 Fighter Jets. (2025, October 3). BDS Movement. https://bdsmovement.net/news/ground-genocidal-israels-f35-fighter-jets
[4] Ground Genocidal Israel’s F-35 Fighter Jets. (2025, October 3). BDS Movement. https://bdsmovement.net/news/ground-genocidal-israels-f35-fighter-jets
[5] The University of Queensland. (2025, 31st July). Sensitive Research Statement. https://research.uq.edu.au/about/sensitive-research-statement
[6] National Tertiary Education Union, University of Queensland Branch. (2024, 15th April). NTEU UQ Branch Submission to the People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine. https://uqu.com.au/wp-content/uploads/NTEU-UQ-BRANCH-SUBMISSION-APAN_for-campaign-merged.pdf
Camp Hill, Queensland, 4152, Australia