From the megacity of Tokyo, a controversial technology professor is planning to build his new home in the micro-town of Quilpie, outback Queensland — population: 650.
And he might also build a second house for his "best friend" and political ally, former Queensland senator Fraser Anning.
It may sound like a bizarre dream, but Adrian Cheok says he is "100 per cent serious" about his plans for his most recent property purchase.
"I've lived in a lot of places around the world, so I think I'm at the point in my life that I'd be very happy to be in a quieter and smaller town," Professor Cheok says.
"In Tokyo right now, everyone is wearing masks, there are mandates, so, honestly speaking, the pandemic has changed my attitudes to living in big cities as well."
Professor Cheok is an Australian electrical engineer and lecturer, whose 67-page resume includes research into love and sex with robots, at Tokyo's iUniversity,
He also ran as a candidate for the far-right Fraser Anning Conservative National Party in Boothby, South Australia, at the 2019 federal election.
"I'm extremely good friends with former senator Fraser Anning," Professor Cheok says.
Outback lifestyle calls
Professor Cheok, who currently splits his time between Tokyo and SA, purchased two blocks of vacant land from the Quilpie Shire Council last year, for $38,000 each.
He heard about Quilpie — about 10 hours' drive west of Brisbane — after news of the council's $12,500 new homebuyer grants went viral.
"Somehow I came across the article that Quilpie was selling brand new land … and I thought it's usually a pretty good deal when you buy directly from the government," he says.
Now, the professor is planning to build a home there and make it his base for his young family.
The tree change was partly inspired by Professor Cheok's experience writing the biography of Mr Anning, who was raised near the north-west Queensland town of Richmond.
"I thought to myself, I've just spent three months writing about Fraser Anning's life and his life in the outback and it'd be great to experience it," he says.
In fact, Professor Cheok is hoping Mr Anning becomes his neighbour in Quilpie.
"My idea is to build two houses there and if Fraser Anning wants to come back [to Australia] he can stay there as long as he likes as my very good friend," he says.
"I'll live in one, and if Fraser Anning doesn't come, I can always rent the other one out."
Mr Anning was declared bankrupt in 2020 over a failed investment in an agribusiness scheme and is believed to be in the United States.
The ABC was unable to contact Mr Anning for comment.
Professor Cheok says the pandemic has also played a role in his shifting priorities.
"I know a lot of my friends like me — global travellers — a lot of them have decided that kind of life maybe doesn't make sense anymore," he says.
"If it's true that pandemics are going to become more and more regular, then … a regional town is a very good place to be."
Controversial award
Professor Cheok was the subject of controversy when he was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for his "significant service to international education".
He has been accused of poor conduct towards his peers on social media, and the Digital Games Research Association Australia challenged the Queen's Birthday honour.
The Governor-General's office stood by its decision.
"The council does not comment on individual cases including whether it has considered terminating or cancelling an appointment or award," the Council for the Order of Australia said in a statement.
Professor Cheok is hoping the community gets to know him before passing judgement.
"I do like being controversial in the kind of way of the eccentric scientist," he says.
"A lot of bad things have been written about me in the press, in Wikipedia, and it's because a lot of left-wing people really hate me, but they don't know me personally.
"I'd be happy to make a lot of friends in Quilpie, so please don't judge me from articles you read in the press."
Council says everyone welcome
The Quilpie council's CEO, Justin Hancock, says he was surprised the homeowner grant had attracted the professor.
"It's something we didn't expect, but our intention at the end of the day was to help grow our population and attract new people to the region, and we're glad we're able to do that," Mr Hancock says.
"He's obviously a really well-educated person with very out-there ideas regarding technology, so it's something different that could be brought to the shire."
Mr Hancock says the council and community will not be judging anyone based on media reports.
"We're yet to meet Professor Cheok," he says.
"We're a pretty diverse community and we welcome everyone."
