Drew Pavlou's 'Put Up Against a Wall and Shot' Tweet Ignites Free Speech Debate

Australian political activist Drew Pavlou has once again drawn attention with a provocative social media post, stating, "''I like him very much as a person'' he would have you put up against a wall and shot in his ideal society." The tweet, attributed to Pavlou on August 25, 2025, appears to target former British politician Rory Stewart, signaling a deep ideological chasm and sparking renewed discussion on the boundaries of political rhetoric.

Pavlou, widely recognized for his staunch criticism of the Chinese government and its influence in Australia, frequently employs strong language to convey his views. While Rory Stewart is generally known for his centrist and nuanced political positions, Pavlou's comment suggests a stark interpretation of Stewart's ideal societal vision, highlighting the activist's tendency towards sharp, often hyperbolic, commentary in political discourse.

The activist's history includes significant confrontations over free speech and foreign influence. In May 2020, Pavlou was suspended for two years from the University of Queensland following his on-campus protests in support of the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests and against Chinese government actions in Xinjiang. This disciplinary action, later reduced to one semester, garnered national attention and ignited a broader debate about academic freedom and foreign interference in Australian universities. During this period, the Chinese Consul-General Xu Jie notably praised counter-protesters, while China's Global Times tabloid called for Pavlou's expulsion, contrasting sharply with the widespread support he received from within Australia.

Pavlou has actively sought to translate his activism into formal political engagement. In December 2021, he launched his own federal political party, the Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance (DPDA), and subsequently ran for the Australian Senate in the 2022 federal election. His continued use of highly charged language on social media underscores his commitment to challenging perceived threats to democratic values and free expression, even as it generates controversy. The tweet serves as a fresh focal point in the ongoing national conversation about the limits of free speech, the nature of political dissent, and the complexities of foreign influence in Australian public life.