The Vice-Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton on the detention of Macquarie staff member Professor Sean Turnell

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You may have heard reports over the weekend of the detention by military forces in Myanmar of our colleague Professor Sean Turnell, a long-serving and distinguished member of our Department of Economics. Professor Turnell has for some time been a close economic adviser to the National League for Democracy, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and we have long supported his work and commitment in advising on the economic aspects of the emergence of the fledgling democracy in Myanmar.

I am sure that the University at large shares my deep concern for Professor Turnell and my hopes for his swift release. The University is in close contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Government efforts and I commend their dedicated work to secure his release.

Professor Turnell’s detention is currently a significant focus for the Australian and international media, given the events in Myanmar as well as his status as the only international citizen at this stage detained by the military. Our Media team is working with journalists to express our support for Professor Turnell and I suggest, out of respect for him and his family, if anybody is approached by media for comment to direct them to communications@mq.edu.au and the team will be able to provide our statement and organise any further follow-up as necessary.

Professor S. Bruce Dowton
Vice-Chancellor