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Drew Pavlou

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Drew Pavlou
Pavlou in 2022
Leader of the Democratic Alliance
In office
21 September 2021 – 6 November 2023
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Personal details
Born (1999-06-04) 4 June 1999 (age 26)
Political partyDemocratic Alliance (2021–2023)
Other political
affiliations		Before 2021:
Education
Known forStudent activism against the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government

Drew Pavlou (/ˈpævloʊ/, /-luː/; born 4 June 1999) is an Australian political activist best known for his criticism of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, and their influence within Australia. Pavlou is also known for having organised protests on-campus in support of the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, and for later protest activity against the Chinese government.

In May 2020, he was suspended for two years from the University of Queensland (UQ), which alleged 11 instances of misconduct. The action drew national attention in Australia, including from former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. An appeal of his case by the UQ Senate Disciplinary Appeals Committee upheld two of the initial charges and reduced his suspension to one semester. Pavlou returned to UQ in early 2021.

In December 2021, Pavlou launched a political party named the Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance. He ran for the Australian Senate in the 2022 Australian federal election, alongside five other candidates, but was unsuccessful. The party was voluntarily deregistered in November 2023.

Early life and education

Pavlou's family, who are politically conservative Greek Cypriots from the Larnaca District of Cyprus, migrated to Australia in the 1960s to open a number of hospitality and retail shops on the Gold Coast in Queensland.[2][3] His grandmother's brother was a guerrilla with Greek nationalist organisation EOKA, and was killed during the Cyprus Emergency.[2] Pavlou was born on 4 June 1999.[4] When he was two years old, his family moved to Brisbane, where he later completed high school at Villanova College.[5] Pavlou was then admitted to the University of Queensland where he was studying for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy before his suspension.[6] In 2023, he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[1]

2019 Hong Kong protests in UQ

In July 2019, during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, Pavlou organised a protest at the University of Queensland in support of the Hong Kong democracy movement. He has alleged that he was assaulted twice during clashes with counter-protestors who were supporting the Chinese Government.[7][8]

Suspension from the University of Queensland

Pavlou in 2020, lighting up a copy of The Governance of China in front of the consulate general of China in Sydney.

Gerald Roche, a linguist from La Trobe University, accused Pavlou of "narratives that racialise and ethnicise COVID-19, portraying Asians as sources of disease", before filing a complaint against him at UQ. A month later, Pavlou was summoned to the UQ disciplinary board after a 186-page report suggested he violated university student discipline policies 11 times.[1] He was suspended for 2 years.[9]

The charges by the university included Pavlou calling UQ's finance and economics students "cunts", and a PhD candidate a "disgusting mindless slob".[1] The charges further included bullying, discrimination, and harassment of students and staff, both online and on-campus. ABC News has reported that complaints raised to the board include Pavlou improperly claiming to make statements on behalf of the university and a Facebook post of Pavlou posing in front of the UQ Confucius Institute in a biohazard suit during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11][12]

Pavlou admitted to directing profanity at students on Facebook and another university forum after UQ claimed complaints were raised by a number of students.[13] Pavlou's legal team claimed that they were denied access to confidential university documents that may demonstrate UQ collusion with the Chinese government. A spokesperson for the university stated that the matter did not concern political freedom of speech but misbehaviour, that university policy is developed independently of politics, and that the university was unable to comment directly on the matters of the hearing.[14]

On 29 May, the board handed down its decision to suspend Pavlou for two years, the remainder of Pavlou's tenure as UQ senator.[15] UQ Chancellor Peter Varghese expressed concern on the UQ News website about "the findings and the severity of the penalty", convening an out-of-session meeting of the UQ Senate to discuss the matter.[16]

On 2 June, Pavlou sought a review from the UQ Senate Disciplinary Appeals Committee (SDAC), the appellate body for disciplinary matters formed from the UQ Senate, and student and staff representatives.[16] On 13 July, SDAC issued its findings, concluding that two counts of serious misconduct were justified, however dismissing other charges. As a result, SDAC reduced the suspension from two years to one semester (roughly six months).[17] In a statement released by the Committee and Chancellor Varghese, they explained that "neither of the findings of serious misconduct concerned Mr Pavlou's personal or political views about China or Hong Kong", and that Pavlou is now ineligible to return as a UQ senator, under the University of Queensland Act.[16]

In September 2020, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission declined a request by Pavlou to investigate Chancellor Peter Varghese and former Vice-Chancellor Peter Høj, citing "insufficient evidence to suggest anyone who was subject of the complaint had engaged in corrupt conduct". The university responded in a press statement that it was pleased by the findings, and that it had been advised by the commission that no action will be taken.[18][19][20]

Pavlou returned to university in early 2021.[21][22][17]

Court case against the University of Queensland

On 11 June 2020, Pavlou launched a case against UQ, Chancellor Varghese, and former Vice-Chancellor Høj, seeking damages of A$3.5 million for an alleged breach of contract and defamation. The case was lodged with the Supreme Court of Queensland. In a response to an ABC News inquiry, a UQ spokesperson said, "when we receive a formal notice of claim we will consider it and respond through the appropriate channels."[23]

Later protest activity

2022 Wimbledon Peng Shuai Protest

Pavlou (second from right) and friends wearing "where is Peng Shuai" t-shirts at the 2022 Australian Open.

On 10 July 2022, Pavlou was thrown out of the 2022 Wimbledon men's singles final for interrupting the match to shout "where is Peng Shuai" in reference to the Chinese tennis player who disappeared after accusing retired Vice Premier of China Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.[24] Pavlou claimed that security staff pushed him over a row of seats and down a flight of stairs where he hit his head on a wall while twisting his arms behind his back.[25] Wimbledon officials denied Pavlou's claims that excessive force had been used against him. An All England Club spokesman stated, "a spectator was removed from Centre Court after disrupting play by shouting, running down the stairs and causing a nuisance to their fellow spectators. The individual was removed by security colleagues and escorted off the grounds";[26] while Pavlou stated, "I'm sorry that I disrupted the match for 30 seconds, I tried to pick a break in between games to silently hold up my WhereIsPengShuai sign but security immediately crash tackled me which is why I shouted out so people would hear Peng Shuai's name on the broadcast."[24][27]

Protest in London

On 22 July 2022, Pavlou was arrested by the Metropolitan Police outside the Chinese Embassy in London, while protesting alleged human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese state, by displaying the flags of Tibet, Taiwan, and East Turkestan.[28][29]

Pavlou said that he was detained for 23 hours incommunicado without access to lawyers, for an alleged bomb threat. He claimed that during his detainment, he had been treated poorly and had been handcuffed in a stress position; he added that he was forced to sign a document, giving up his right to legal representation and that he was forced to do an interview at 4 a.m.[28][29][30] The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that they "will raise Mr. Pavlou's claim that he was denied consular access before being released with UK authorities."[28][29] Alan Crockford, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police denied allegations of poor treatment during Pavlou's detainment, and asserted that the department abides to "strict codes of practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act" for detainees.[31][30] Some human rights activists and politicians, also claimed of receiving emails from accounts that were pretending to be Pavlou. Pavlou claimed he was subjected to an "orchestrated campaign".[32]

Political career and views

Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance

In December 2021,[33] Pavlou launched the Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance (DPDA) political party after losing preselection in Queensland for the Senate for the Katter's Australian Party.[1] He announced his intention to run for the Senate in Queensland, alongside five other candidates in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.[34] The party was registered with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on 28 February 2022.[35]

The party's self-stated policies included fighting corruption, protecting human rights (with an eye specifically on alleged issues related to the Chinese Communist Party and promoting a pro-Taiwan foreign policy), tackling poverty and homelessness, building a green economy, and supporting workplace democracy.[36][37][38]

The party contested the 2022 Australian federal election, with Pavlou running for the Australian Senate in his home state of Queensland. Pavlou campaigned against Liberal MP Gladys Liu.[39] The party's candidates received 2,215 first preference votes for the House of Representatives nationally (contesting Bennelong and Sturt), 4,555 first preference votes for the Senate in Queensland (representing 0.15% of total votes cast) and 1,011 first preference votes for the Senate in South Australia (representing 0.09% of total votes cast).[40][41][42]

The party was voluntarily deregistered in November 2023.[43]

Opposition to immigration

Pavlou frequently comments on immigration on his social media and self-identifies as a "Western civilisation enjoyer" on Twitter.[44][45] In August 2025, Pavlou released a video in which he walks around Melbourne CBD counting the numbers of bubble tea shops and Chinese real estate firms in Chinatown, referring to the "yookayification" of Australia,[45] a term used by the British far-right to describe the supposed decline of the United Kingdom due to immigration.[46][47]

In August 2025, Pavlou hosted an online debate on Australian identity, expressing concern about voting patterns of Indians in Australian politics. He said he was "really concerned for the future of the country if we get these sectarian voting blocs", in response to claims that Indians overwhelmingly voted for the Labor Party in the 2025 Australian federal election.[48]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Knott, Matthew (14 July 2023). "Activist or attention hog? Drew has an obsession. His dad wishes he'd drop it". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Antonopoulos, Paul (17 April 2020). "Greek-Australian Student Faces Expulsion From University Of Queensland For China Criticisms". Greek City Times. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020. Greek-Australian student, Drew Pavlou, is facing a University of Queensland disciplinary hearing on April 27, where university administrators will likely expel the philosophy student....The student also revealed to Greek City Times that his family hailed from Larnaca in Cyprus' south coast and that he had revolutionary heritage with his grandmother's brother becoming a martyr as an EOKA fighter against British occupation. With a martyr in his family, it can be seen why he feels passionate to ardently defend a cause he believes in.
  3. ^ Condon, Matthew (30 May 2020). "The boy who kicked the hornet's nest". The Australian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Drew's paternal grandparents migrated in the 1960s and carried the surname Themistocles to Australia before changing it to Pavlou. A Greek Cypriot family used to hard work and enterprise, they soon made their way, starting fruit-and-veg shops, hairdressing salons and a restaurant on the Gold Coast, where Drew was born to father Nick and mother Vanessa in 1999.
  4. ^ 萧雨 (23 April 2020). "受开除威胁的澳洲大学生：我会是共产党永远的批评者". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  5. ^ Condon, Matthew (30 May 2020). "The boy who kicked the hornet's nest". The Australian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.(subscription required)
  6. ^ Haupt, Epiphanie (Pippa) (7 May 2020). "FEATURE: Drew Pavlou – Kicking Shins During COVID-19". e. haupt. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Drew is 20, a Brisbane native, and is completing his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
  7. ^ Roberts, George (10 August 2020). "University of Queensland holds hearing behind closed doors to consider expulsion of student involved in China protest actions". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  8. ^ Doherty, Ben (23 October 2019). "Queensland student sues Chinese consul general, alleging he incited death threats". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  9. ^ Garcia, Jocelyn; Dennien, Matt (29 May 2020). "University of Queensland activist suspended for two years". Brisbane Times.
  10. ^ Xiao, Bang (24 April 2020). "Why an Australian student who is anti-Beijing is facing expulsion from the University of Queensland". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  11. ^ Patrick, A. Odysseus (16 April 2020). "Student known as vocal critic of China faces expulsion from Australian university". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  12. ^ Condon, Matthew (29 May 2020). "How Drew Pavlou's University of Queensland protest enraged China and started a free speech battle". The Australian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  13. ^ Duffy, Connor (2 June 2020). "Anti-China University of Queensland student Drew Pavlou caught up in 'kangaroo court', lawyer claims in 16-page appeal". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  14. ^ Armbruster, Stefan (20 May 2020). "Student activist walks out of University of Queensland disciplinary hearing claiming China influence". SBS World News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  15. ^ Swanston, Tim (29 May 2020). "Drew Pavlou, critic of University of Queensland's links to Chinese Government bodies, suspended for two years". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  16. ^ a b c "Student disciplinary matters". UQ News. 5 August 2020. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Queensland student Drew Pavlou's suspension reduced but will remain out of university until 2021". The Guardian. 12 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  18. ^ Dennien, Matt (3 September 2020). "Corruption watchdog rules out student's UQ probe". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  19. ^ Lynch, Lydia (3 June 2020). "Kevin Rudd accuses UQ of appearing to 'bend the knee to Beijing'". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  20. ^ Garcia, Jocelyn (25 April 2020). "Student Activist Warns of Chilling Effect After China's Patriotic Media Singles Him Out". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  21. ^ "'World's most famous undergraduate' returns to study but vows to keep up human rights' work". Neos Kosmos. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Drew Pavlou suspended by University of Queensland over pro-Hong Kong protest". The Australian. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Suspended student Drew Pavlou sues University of Queensland heads for $3.5m for defamation, breach of contract". ABC News. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 16 June 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  24. ^ a b Gaydos, Ryan (10 July 2022). "Wimbledon 2022: Peng Shuai supporter wrestled to the ground after shouting during match". Fox News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  25. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (10 July 2022). "Peng Shuai protestor 'thrown down stairs' after being removed from Wimbledon Centre Court". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2022.(subscription required)
  26. ^ "Aussie human rights activist interrupts Wimbledon". Midwest Times. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  27. ^ Belot, Henry (26 December 2022). "Activists to revisit controversial 'Where is Peng Shuai' protests at January Australian Open". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  28. ^ a b c Doherty, Ben (23 July 2022). "Australian activist Drew Pavlou arrested in London but denies sending Chinese embassy bomb threat". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  29. ^ a b c McCann, Conor (23 July 2022). "Australian activist detained in London over alleged bomb threat email sent to Chinese embassy". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Australian China critic detained in UK over alleged bomb threat". ABC News. 23 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  31. ^ "London police respond after arresting Australian activist over alleged Chinese embassy bomb threat". SBS News. 23 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Drew Pavlou says he is victim of 'orchestrated campaign' after arrest over false 'bomb threat'". The Guardian. 24 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Beijing critic forms new political party with young, diverse candidates ahead of federal election". ABC News. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Who are my candidates?". aec.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  35. ^ "Registration of a political party Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission.
  36. ^ "Issues". Drew Pavlou. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  37. ^ Antrobus, Blake (15 December 2021). "Outspoken student CCP critic Drew Pavlou debuts political party aiming for federal, senate seats". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Home". drewpavlou.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020.
  39. ^ McCubbing, Gus (4 May 2022). "Signs election contest for Chisholm has turned nasty". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  40. ^ "First preferences by party". Australian Electoral Commission. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  41. ^ "First preferences by Senate group". Australian Electoral Commission. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  42. ^ "First preferences by Senate group". Australian Electoral Commission. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance Voluntary Deregistration" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  44. ^ Chrysanthos, Natassia and Sakkal, Paul (10 September 2025). "Sussan Ley sacks Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from Liberal frontbench". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025. Samaras first raised the 85 per cent figure on an X livestream hosted by controversial political activist Drew Pavlou, who frequently comments about immigration on his account. It had not been published in any report.
  45. ^ a b Smith, Rohan (9 August 2025). "'English speakers excluded': Chinese agents hit back at divisive real estate video". News.com.au.
  46. ^ "BBC Audio | AntiSocial | Yookay". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  47. ^ Harris, Nicholas (23 April 2025). "Anarchy in the "yookay"". New Statesman. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  48. ^ Brent, Peter (11 September 2025). "What was that number?". Inside Story. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
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