Earlier this year, UTAS history lecturer Dr Michael Powell criticised Mr Nikolic’s support for the government’s proposed higher education changes in a letter that used his university title.

Mr Nikolic then emailed UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen to ask if Dr Powell was representing himself or the university.

In the wake of the correspondence, Dr Powell complained of having his free speech stifled and of being ‘‘disciplined’’ by his superiors.

The exchange prompted more than 100 university lecturers and academics to sign an open letter of protest, accusing Mr Nikolic of abusing his parliamentary role to prevent a senior lecturer speaking out against the government.

The signatories also urged UTAS  heads to publicly endorse the principle of academic freedom, which Professor Rathjen later did.

On Thursday, Dr Powell confirmed he had taken Mr Nikolic to the Anti-Discrimination Commission, claiming his actions amounted to political discrimination and an attempt to silence his political expression.

‘‘I regard this as a profound, personal intrusion on the flow of politics and attempt to shut down opposing opinion,’’ Dr Powell said.

‘‘It placed an enormous amount of pressure on me and created quite a furore at the university.’’

Dr Powell said confidential negotiations were afoot to try to resolve the matter privately, but said it could come before the tribunal.

He appealed to anybody who has had Mr Nikolic make a complaint to their employer or institutional association to contact him.

Mr Nikolic could not be contacted for comment on Thursday.