Australia universities pull Hong Kong police job ads after backlash from pro-democracy activists

At least two universities have permanently removed police’s ads from their careers portals, while others have taken them down temporarily for review

Activists say running the adverts is tacit endorsement of alleged abuses committed by force during last year’s anti-government protests

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Riot police disperse protesters and media in the Tai Po area of Hong Kong in March. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 2:30pm, 15 Oct 2020Updated: 11:04pm, 15 Oct 2020

A recruitment drive by Hong Kong police at universities in Australia has become a battleground for the city’s pro-democracy movement, with several universities removing or reviewing job adverts for the force under pressure from activists.

The University of Sydney briefly removed one such advert on Monday while it reviewed complaints by students who claimed that hosting the posting effectively endorsed abuses allegedly committed by police during last year’s anti-government protests.

After a short review which found the advert for the role of police inspector did not breach its guidelines, the university reposted the vacancy on its jobs portal later the same day.

In a statement, the university said it was part of its “standard process” to remove an ad from public view while “further investigation is undertaken, and for advice to be sought if required”.

Police in riot gear move through a cloud of smoke as they detain a protester at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November. Photo: AP

“As with all ads on the hub, it is accompanied by a disclaimer that makes clear we do not vouch for the accuracy of the information provided or endorse the organisation that has submitted the ad; students are also advised to verify any information provided for themselves,” it said.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) permanently removed job postings for Hong Kong police in May after similar complaints from student activists. UTS declined to comment beyond confirming the ad was removed and stating that no further correspondence had been received from the Hong Kong police since then. UNSW did not respond to inquiries.