UQ responds to inaccurate media reports

Letter to the Editor On 9 June 2016 The Guardian published an article in relation to a decision involving Professor Paul Frijters. It is not the University's practice to comment in relation to ongoing staffing matters. However there are a number of inaccuracies in the article which need to be corrected. Firstly, and most importantly, it is untrue that the Vice-Chancellor 'drove' the disciplinary process, or that there is any truth to the suggestion attributed to Professor Foster that the Vice Chancellor knowingly breached any procedure, or that the University has at any time attempted to 'cover up' evidence of racial prejudice. The Vice-Chancellor played no part in the decision to investigate allegations of research misconduct by Professor Frijters, and had no involvement in the subsequent disciplinary procedure or the Fair Work Commission proceedings. The University responded to information which was drawn to its attention which suggested the possibility that research misconduct had occurred, and was then compelled to follow its normal procedures to investigate those circumstances. Secondly, it is also important to understand that the Fair Work Commission has made no finding in relation to the issue of whether or not Professor Frijters has in fact engaged in research misconduct, and he has not in any sense been "cleared" of the allegations by this decision.