Students at RMIT University in Melbourne protest over lack of Muslim prayer rooms

MELBOURNE Muslim university students will protest tomorrow, saying they are being sexually harassed and discriminated against due to a lack of prayer rooms.

But RMIT University management deny this, insisting Muslim students are well catered for.

The RMIT Islamic Society want Muslim-only prayer rooms on the university's city campus.

In late 2007, construction work on the building that contained a dedicated Muslim prayer room meant the facility was demolished.

The Islamic society said the university reneged on its promise to replace that with another room.

"As a result, students and staff have been forced to pray outside in the heat of summer and the cold of winter," the society's website said.

It alleged females have been subjected to sexual abuse, harassment and religious vilification while praying.

They are now forced to pray two at a time in cramped women's rooms, corridors and empty classrooms.

The society said "enough is enough", insisting it was sick of being given the run around and would hold a mass protest at the university on Monday afternoon.

"No longer can we remain quiet and have students compromise between their safety and prayers, RMIT made a promise, it must fulfil it," the website said.

But the university described the action as "unfortunate and unnecessary".

There are already eight Muslim prayer rooms across the university's three campuses, Dr Maddy McMaster, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) said.

"The university's policy is that prayer rooms in its spiritual centre are multi-faith, open to bookings by members of all faiths," she said.

Muslims get preferential access to two of those rooms.

"With space at a premium on our city campus, we have bent over backwards to find an amicable solution," she said.

Gestures of good faith have been rejected, she insisted.

"Multi-faith spaces are commonly accepted as supporting a range of religious practices, including those of the Muslim faith.

"It is disappointing that the RMIT Islamic Society chooses to reject established multi-faith principles," she said.

The society did not respond to AAP requests for comment.

Murderer Gregory John Brazel paid up to $83,000 for alleged prison assault

TRIPLE killer Gregory John Brazel has received a secret $3000 payout and up to $80,000 in legal costs paid by taxpayers.

He has also been given a series of perks in Port Phillip prison.
Brazel, who murdered three women, received the cash windfall after suing the Government for being bashed at his previous jail, Barwon.
The payout - kept secret until now - was nominally for medical expenses, but was paid into his prison account.
Sources say Brazel is spending it on horse racing bets and other perks.
As part of the settlement, Brazel gains extra phone time and the right to wear a red beanie covering scars, sources said.
At Brazel's request he was moved to the mainstream prison as part of the settlement.
But the trial soured and was ended when other prisoners refused to work with him.
The $3000 adds to a nest egg of $12,000 Brazel has won from the insurer of private Port Phillip prison after he was slashed by an inmate with a broken bottle.
Brazel has allegedly assaulted guards and other prisoners, started fires, caused sieges, staged fake hunger strikes and smuggled in banned items.
The payout was meant to be for medical expenses, including treatment to fix scarring after he was bashed, but it is believed Brazel is gambling it and spending it on treats.
He has also had access to a computer and more phone calls than other prisoners.
Since being moved from Barwon prison, Brazel has made allegations against Port Phillip prison staff, had them removed and threatened other staff, insiders said.
"Management are believed to bow to his every need and have built this monster, with fear of being sued, as that is Brazel's game," the source said.
"He wears that red hat with his (green) prison gear and he's like a vicious little elf," a jail source said.
Corrections Victoria would not comment on Brazel's windfall or prison arrangements.