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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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”.
“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.
Activist group Australia-Hong Kong Link, which has spearheaded the campaign against the police’s recruitment efforts, said the postings should not be seen as normal job adverts but endorsements of the “dehumanisation and terrorism of Hong Kong Police”.
“Universities are responsible to provide students with information on a healthy career path,” said a member of the group, requesting anonymity.
Protest leaders and pan-democrats repeatedly accused the force of heavy handed tactics and indiscriminate violence during the height of last year‘s protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations against plans to allow extradition to the mainland before morphing into violent street clashes.
At least two Australian universities, Macquarie University in Sydney and the University of Melbourne, have resisted calls to remove Hong Kong police job adverts.
Macquarie University said in a statement it had temporarily taken down a job advert following students’ complaints earlier in the year, but determined it did not violate university policy.
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“Hosting advertisements on CareerHub is not an endorsement by the university of an employer or the accuracy of the content in the advertisement,” it said.
The University of Melbourne declined to comment further than confirming that its police job posting had not been removed.
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The Hong Kong Police Force adopts a “proactive recruitment strategy to attract high calibre candidates”, it said in a statement. Entry requirements include holding permanent residency in the city.
“Every year, the Recruitment Division of the force would conduct recruitment publicity via different platforms, social media and recruitment projects and also host various recruitment activities, including recruitment seminar and experience sharing, both in Hong Kong and overseas,” it said.
“Outreaching to university graduates in Hong Kong and overseas has always been one of the proactive strategies. The force will regularly review the recruitment strategy in light of the prevailing situation.”
