Media Release

ON the eve of a vote in federal parliament on Bob Katter’s proposed Inquiry into Chinese Communist Party control and interference at Australian universities, the Morrison Government has launched the Inquiry referring it to the joint-Committee on Security and Intelligence.

Kennedy MP, Bob Katter said he was elated for expelled University of Queensland (UQ) student, Drew Pavlou who was ‘the storm-in-a-tea-cup’ that brought international attention to the true extent of foreign interference and control at Australian universities.

“Before the two 60 Minutes episodes aired last month on Drew’s story nothing had happened in the preceding 12 months,” Mr Katter said.

“Now the Queensland Police have finally launched action against the pro-Chinese Communist Party thugs who beat-up Drew on the St Lucia campus over his pro-Hong Kong democracy demonstration, the PM last week announced legislation to crackdown on dodgy foreign interference deals like Victoria’s belt-and-road agreement and today our Inquiry has been backed in full.

“The intimidation of Australian students and academics on campus, who stand up for democracy and human rights, is outrageous and must stop. Again, I call on the Chancellor of UQ to immediately reinstate Drew Pavlou to the UQ Senate and to overturn his expulsion.

“The true fighters who never gave up on this Inquiry were Drew, the journalists and producers at 60 Minutes, Sharri Markson from the Australian and other federal MPs who made their support public.

“I am looking forward to seeing Andrew Hastie and his Committee give the Australian university sector the thorough clean-out and interrogation that is long over-due.”

Drew Pavlou said he and Mr Katter had won a great victory for Australian Democracy.

“This inquiry would have never happened without Bob’s massive support,” he said.

“He was the only one in Canberra to stick his neck out for me. He stood by the little guy against the forces of greed, corruption and totalitarianism.

“I will be testifying in Canberra before the government’s inquiry into CCP interference at Australian universities. I am so honoured to be able to share my story before our national parliament.

“I would like to thank everybody who stood by me.”

-ENDS-