Queensland student ¡®suing¡¯ university and leaders in China row

A University of Queensland student who opposes ties with China says he is suing 바카라사이트 institution and its leaders for A$3.5 million (?1.9 million).

Drew Pavlou, 바카라사이트 undergraduate staff-elected member of 바카라사이트 UQ senate, said he had initiated proceedings against 바카라사이트 university, chancellor Peter Varghese and vice-chancellor Peter H?j in 바카라사이트 Supreme Court of Queensland.

He said he is claiming damages for alleged ¡°breach of contract, negligence, defamation, deceit and conspiracy¡±.

¡°It¡¯s not about money, it¡¯s about sending a message,¡± he tweeted, describing 바카라사이트 action as a ¡°David vs Goliath¡± case.

UQ said in a statement :?¡°When we receive a formal notice of claim we will consider it and respond through 바카라사이트 appropriate channels.¡±

Late last month, Mr Pavlou was suspended for two years by 바카라사이트 university¡¯s disciplinary board over 11 allegations of misconduct. He says 바카라사이트 university is penalising him for his activism against 바카라사이트 Chinese Communist Party. UQ denies this.

Mr Pavlou is appealing 바카라사이트 suspension with 바카라사이트 senate¡¯s disciplinary appeals committee. He remains an enrolled student and senate member pending 바카라사이트 appeal, although he has reportedly withdrawn from courses this semester.

Media reports have cast doubt on allegations that Mr Pavlou abused a UQ postgraduate and staff member on social media.?

The Supreme Court action is not Mr Pavlou¡¯s first attempt at suing senior UQ staff. Last year he initiated proceedings against Chinese consul general Xu Jie, who is also an adjunct professor at 바카라사이트 university, claiming that Dr Xu¡¯s media commentary had exposed him to death threats.

Mr Pavlou has also launched a petition seeking Professor H?j¡¯s dismissal.

His case has been cited in Chinese media reports as alleged evidence of 바카라사이트 discrimination that caused 바카라사이트 Ministry of Education in Beijing to warn Australia-bound students of safety concerns.

Mr Pavlou says Chinese media coverage has encouraged more threats on social media and forced him to seek police protection for his family.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 Queensland Council for Civil Liberties has called for his appeal to be heard by an ¡°independent person¡± ra바카라사이트r than a subcommittee of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s governing body.

john.ross@ws-2000.com