Uni threat on abuse

LABOR is threatening to withhold funding from universities that fail to take serious action against sexual harassment and abuse, if it wins the next federal election.

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek wants to establish a three-year task force to ensure universities improve the way they respond to allegations of assault on campus.

Universities that fail to make meaningful cultural change will risk having their public funding frozen.

A report found that in 2016, half of students had been sexually harassed on campus.