UTAS history lecturer Dr Michael Powell criticised Mr Nikolic's support for the government higher education changes in a letter that used his university title.

Mr Nikolic emailed UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen to clarify whether Dr Powell was representing himself or the university.

Dr Powell, a frequent writer to The Examiner, has since complained of having his free speech stifled and of being "disciplined" by his superiors.

But Mr Nikolic accused Dr Powell of engaging in a political campaign against him.

"Mr Powell’s persistent political attacks in the media render baseless any suggestion that he is being constrained from speaking out," he said.

Any suggestion that I have tried to do so is false and without foundation.

"He is of course free to voice his personal views, but should not link those political attacks to his position at the University."

Professor Rathjen said Mr Nikolic had enquired about the university's public comment rules.

"Mr Nikolic emailed us asking whether Dr Powell was representing an official view of the university – which he was not – and about policies that might apply to employees in making public comment," he told Fairfax Media.

"The University of Tasmania is deeply committed to the principle of academic freedom, as articulated in policies agreed by Academic Senate."

Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley raised the issue in Parliament last month, saying Mr Nikolic's actions were "outrageous".

"So what did our federal member do? He went and tittle-tattled to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania," she told the Senate.

"What was he expecting the vice-chancellor to do? Slap him on the wrist and say, 'Naughty boy; stop writing letters and challenging the federal member for Bass'."