Inquiry calls emerge after revelations of university academics’ Chinese Government involvement

The revelation that a number of University of Tasmania academics are involved in a secretive Chinese research program, which has been labelled a national threat, has sparked calls to protect the institution from foreign interference.

• UTAS staff agree to no pay increase in a bid to soften the university’s COVID-19 hit
• New University of Tasmania Cradle Coast Campus taking shape

THERE are calls to protect the University of Tasmania from foreign interference after it was revealed a number of its academics are part of a secretive Chinese research program which has been labelled a national security threat.

An investigation by the Australian this week showed dozens of scientists across several national universities – including three UTAS researchers – were recruited to Chinese Government program the Thousand Talents Plan.

The program was designed to recruit overseas researchers to send their skills back to China.

It has been described as economic espionage and a national security threat by FBI director Christopher Wray.

University of Tasmania Professor Andrew McMinn is a member of the mysterious Thousand Talents Plan.

UTAS has confirmed Menzies Institute osteoarthritis researcher Changhai Ding, plant physiology professor Sergey Shabala and environment change professor Andrew McMinn are part of the Chinese recruitment program.

In a statement to the Australian UTAS said it operates institutional and research partnerships in China “where the values and interests of we and our partners align”.

“These are reviewed to ensure that they are based on open and trusted academic principles and are mutually beneficial,” the statement said.

Chair of parliament’s joint intelligence committee Andrew Hastie this week called for a parliamentary inquiry into the revelations – a call which gained support from Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz.

“I fully support Mr Hastie’s suggestion that an inquiry be established to examine this issue in detail and to ensure our research is protected and secure from foreign interference,” Mr Abetz said.

Senator Eric Abetz. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“This latest development demonstrates that our universities face an existential threat to their ability to operate as free, independent and open institutions of thought and research.”

Senator Abetz said there was an urgent need to protect research institutions from foreign interference.

“Australian research should not be for sale to the highest bidder, least of all to a nation that actively seeks to undermine our sovereignty,” he said.

“This is further evidence of a widespread and systematic attempt to infiltrate our university system and silence critics.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said universities needed to show greater transparency about possible Chinese Government influence.

“Like the vast majority of Tasmanians we are concerned at news it’s possible that there is Chinese Government influence in our academic institutions in Tasmania,” she said.

“We call on those institutions to be very transparent about their processes and what safeguards they have in place to protect the intellectual property and hard work of our institutions like UTAS.”

A UTAS spokesperson said it actively protects its research from any foreign interference and has implemented the Federal Government’s latest guidelines to counter interference in the university sector.

“These measures build on the refresh of our conflict of interest policies the University undertook last year which included implementing a centrally managed system,” they said.