Statement from a University of Queensland spokesperson
Published 2 July 2020
The University is not a party to the court action brought by Mr Pavlou against the Consul General.
The University received three subpoenas from Mr Pavlou seeking University records as part of his court action against the Consul General. Two subpoenas were addressed to UQ employees. The third subpoena was addressed to Xu Jie in his capacity as an adjunct professor and was delivered to UQ’s School of Languages and Cultures.
The University responded on the basis that the subpoenas were intended for the institution.
The University instructed Clayton Utz lawyers to represent it in relation to the subpoenas. The court documents clearly state that the University is the party applying to the court in relation to the subpoenas and that Clayton Utz were acting on behalf of the University.
Neither the University nor Clayton Utz were acting on behalf of, or took any instructions from, Xu Jie, either as the Consul-General or in his capacity as an Adjunct Professor, in relation to the subpoenas issued to the University.
The University understands that Mr Pavlou may also have sought a subpoena against Xu Jie in his capacity as Consul General. The University has no involvement with that.
Any suggestion that the University is paying any legal costs for the consul-general Xu Jie are completely false.
Statement from a University of Queensland spokesperson
Published 29 June 2020
UQ is aware of claims circulating on social media today.
Any suggestion that the University is paying any legal costs for Chinese consul-general Xu Jie are completely false.
Response to claims that UQ sought approval of its statement about student protest (24 July 2019) from external parties
Published 20 May 2020
Unsubstantiated claims that the University coordinated its public response to the student protest on 24 July 2019 with the Chinese Consulate are ludicrous and the University strongly rejects them.
These claims are also demonstrably inaccurate and are irrelevant to any current disciplinary process.
On 24 July 2019 the University posted its public response to the protest on the UQ Facebook page at 4.40pm and by 5.30pm had shared this with a number of media outlets.
At 5.46pm, an hour after the public statement, a member of the communication team asked a Deputy Vice-Chancellor via email to review a proposed message to the Chinese Consulate. The message outlined the University’s expectations that students express their views in a lawful and respectful manner and provided contact details for Chinese students seeking support.
The message was approved without any changes, and emailed to the Consulate and copied to the Confucius Institute at 7.05pm. The Vice-Chancellor was not in contact with the Consulate on this matter. In addition, the University also communicated its position to a number of other stakeholders including government, partners and the sector’s peak bodies.
Click here to view the correspondence and timeline.
Has the University supported students affected by protests?
The University refutes the claims by some individuals about the support provided to students.
The day of the first protest – 24 July – the University issued a clear position that freedom of speech must be upheld and that it did not condone the unacceptable actions of a small group of individuals. The day following the protests, Student Services met with the UQ students’ union leaders to discuss what support could be provided. This engagement is continuing, both with the student union and the broader student population, and all necessary action has been taken.
The University’s investigations unit has made numerous requests to the students involved to provide statements and other evidence. Not all these requests were fulfilled.
At no time has the University tried to prevent people from expressing their views. In fact, the University has openly engaged with organisers of events and protests, and worked with them to ensure the safety of those involved.
What is UQ doing about the student protest that occurred on Wednesday 24 July?
On Wednesday 24 July, a student-initiated protest took place at our St Lucia campus. Security staff became concerned when the unacceptable actions of a small number of individuals posed a potential safety risk to those present. Police were called and worked with UQ to help diffuse tensions.
A review was launched immediately into the circumstances that led to the incident.
UQ students were contacted where there were any concerns raised either formally or informally about their safety, or their welfare.
We also encouraged students to contact police if they had any concerns for their personal safety or about possible criminal behaviour.
What is UQ doing about incidents at the ‘Lennon’ wall on campus?
The University does not condone any actions that prevent free speech, including the targeting of the Lennon Wall in the Student Union complex at St Lucia.
UQ supported student groups to display Lennon Walls at both St Lucia and Gatton campuses.
In response to incidents at St Lucia, UQ has stepped up overnight security patrols and took appropriate action where individuals involved could be identified.
What is the status of UQ investigations into incidents at the protest on 24 July and at the Lennon Wall on campus?
A report on the investigation into the 24 July protest, based on the information UQ was able to obtain, has been provided to the Academic Registrar for consideration. The Integrity and Investigations Unit made numerous requests for students involved to provide statements and other evidence, but not all those requests were fulfilled.
Investigations relating to incidents involving the Lennon Wall are ongoing. The University continues to encourage witnesses to provide statements that are essential to enable the investigations to progress.
Any disciplinary proceedings involving students must be confidential, in line with UQ policies.
