Corruption watchdog rules out student's UQ probe
The University of Queensland says two of its leaders have been cleared of corruption allegations made by a student who was suspended last month amid a lengthy public battle over campus protest and conduct.
Student activist Drew Pavlou had referred the university's chancellor, Peter Varghese, and former vice-chancellor, Peter Høj, to the state's Crime and Corruption Commission as he fought his two-year suspension for alleged misconduct.
University of Queensland student Drew Pavlou and the July protests on campus against the CCP.Credit:Sydney Morning Herald
On Thursday morning, the university issued a statement stating it was "pleased to be informed" by the watchdog that its assessment of corrupt conduct allegations had been finished.
"The CCC advised they would not take further action as there was no evidence to suggest corrupt conduct," the university statement said, without referring to Mr Pavlou by name.
"The CCC considered the information provided and conducted their own additional research before making the decision to not take further action.
"The university thanks the CCC for their efficient assessment of the allegations and their confirmation that the chancellor and former vice-chancellor have no case to answer."
Mr Pavlou, who had been an elected UQ senate representative and remained an outspoken critic of Chinese government influence in Australian universities, had complained about the pair after a protest at the St Lucia campus turned violent last year.
He has since been barred from campus and threatened to reveal details about the senate workings under parliamentary privilege at a new federal inquiry into foreign influence on campuses.
"This is why we needed a federal inquiry. Now we have it," Mr Pavlou wrote on Twitter after the university's statement.
Comment has been sought from the Crime and Corruption Commission.