国产探花

The University of Queensland has zero tolerance for any behaviour that impinges on the rights of individuals or contravenes the University’s values, and will investigate any allegations of misconduct regardless of who is involved.

A detailed and complex investigation process ceased this month when a senior staff member resigned with immediate effect during an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct. They had already been suspended, pending the outcome of the investigation process.

The matter does not involve students.  

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter H酶j said the University had supported the complainant throughout the process, and her wellbeing and privacy continued to be of primary concern.

“I appreciate the courage it takes to come forward in these situations,” he said.

“We take our obligations to investigate any allegation extremely seriously and a comprehensive investigation began as soon as the University was advised of the allegation.”

Professor H酶j said the University had robust policies and processes to guide investigations, and had also sought advice from the Crime and Corruption Commission which confirmed it was appropriate for the University to investigate the matter.

“While complex investigations such as this can take time to reach conclusion, it is critical that allegations are fully investigated to afford natural justice to all parties and so the community can have confidence in the process,” he said.

“The process of investigation needed to be particularly thorough given that a number of key aspects of the alleged misconduct had been denied. The process included interviews with the staff members involved, and gathering and assessing evidence.

“Within 24 hours of receiving the investigation report I decided, on 16 March, to suspend the person for the purposes of investigating misconduct.”

On the same day, the report was formally provided to the staff member for response, in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures and the requirements for natural justice.

On 22 March, one day before the deadline for their formal response, the staff member resigned with immediate effect, meaning the University no longer has an ability to finalise the matter as the person is no longer an employee.

In these circumstances, no formal finding of serious misconduct is possible nor is there an ability to terminate the person’s employment or impose other serious consequences.

Professor H酶j said unfortunately in a community of 60,000 people issues can occur.

“However, in addition to our overarching aim of no misconduct at all, it’s what you do about these issues that matters,” he said.

“In this instance, we acted immediately and did everything possible to investigate the situation and bring it to an appropriate conclusion.”

“I’m extremely conscious of our duty of care to all members of our community. Anyone who is experiencing distress in relation to this or any other matter can approach their supervisor or seek assistance through various services in the University,” he said.

Assistance to staff and students is available through the following services:

In order to protect the complainant’s wellbeing and privacy, the University will not provide any details of the allegations.

Media: communications@uq.edu.au, 3365 1120 or 0413 601 248.