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Home / New Zealand

Burgled professor case: PM called on to defend academic freedom

Matt Nippert
By Matt Nippert
Business Investigations Reporter·NZ Herald·
25 Nov, 2018 05:00 PM4 mins to read

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University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady. Photo / supplied.
University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady. Photo / supplied.

University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady. Photo / supplied.

The prime minister has come under renewed pressure over the burgled professor case, with a coalition of academics and civil society figures calling for government action to safeguard academic freedoms and the safety of Anne-Marie Brady.

An open letter to be delivered this morning to both prime minister Jacinda Ardern and foreign minister Winston Peters, calls on the governing pair to "be transparent about the outcome of any investigation" and "make a clear statement in defence of academic freedom in light of the Brady case."

"Be very clear that any intimidation and threats aimed at silencing academics voices in this country will not be tolerated."

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The letter was triggered by an ongoing campaign of harassment against the University of Canterbury professor - apparently linked to her work researching China's foreign policy - that has included burglaries of her home and office and suspicions her car had been sabotaged.

Those co-signing the letter include Amnesty International New Zealand executive director Tony Blackett, investigative journalist Nicky Hager, AUT policy observatory director Julienne Molineaux, intelligence analyst Paul Buchanan and nearly two dozen academics from institutions ranging from Otago to Auckland.

The call for action has also drawn support from both the Green and ACT parties, marking the first time the affair has attracted the interest of Parliament.

Ardern said in February when news of the Brady burglaries broke that suggestions the crimes were a result of Brady's work were concerning and, if substantiated, she would be "taking stock and taking action".

In comments since she has declined to engage on the issue - including stalling for six months on a request to discuss the matter with the Herald in an interview - and has repeatedly said the case was a matter for police.

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To date police have made only one brief comment on the affair, saying in September while it was a "complex case" they had "positive lines of inquiry" and Interpol were involved.

It is understood a secretive branch of police, the national security investigations team typically employed to handle terrorism and espionage cases, is working the case.

Both Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman and ACT MP David Seymour said they agreed with the thrust of the open letter and added their weight to calls for the government to take action.

"Academic freedoms are paramount to the health of our democracy," Ghahraman said.

Discover more

Business

Revealed: China's network of influence in New Zealand

20 Sep 02:43 AM
New Zealand

Academic researching China's influence has break-ins, warning letter

15 Feb 04:00 PM
New Zealand|politics

The curious case of the burgled professor

14 Sep 05:00 PM
New Zealand

SIS searches Canterbury professor's office for listening devices

19 Sep 05:00 PM

"Any evidence of threats or intimidation aimed at undermining academic independence must be taken seriously by the government."

Seymour said the nine-month silence from government on the issue was concerning.

"It's been far too long for an issue as important as academic freedom, and ultimately New Zealand's freedom and sovereignty," he said.

"It makes you wonder if Winston and Jacinda are living on their knees because they're too scared to die on their feet - and this position is not acceptable to rest of the country."

‌
Open Letter to PM Academic Freedom (PDF)
Open Letter to PM Academic Freedom (Text)

TIMELINE

2017
•September - Academic Anne-Marie Brady publishes her 'Magic Weapons' paper, detailing China's campaign of influence in New Zealand, to international acclaim.
•December - Brady's campus office broken into.

2018
•February - Brady tells an Australian parliamentary committee hearing her home had recently been subjected to a suspicious burglary, and the following day her office is again broken into. Prime minister expresses concern and police begin an investigation.
•September - The Herald reports the police investigation is still ongoing and Interpol and NZSIS involvement suggests official suspicions are directed offshore.
•November - Brady's mechanic reports her car has been tampered with, widening the police investigation. Twenty-nine academics and civil society figures co-sign open letter urging government action on the case.

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