By Sarah McCrea
On 18 August, a media release from the Minister for Education revealed the federal government “has commenced consultations on legislative reforms to the Australian National University Act 1991 [The ANU ACT]”. As the ANAO describes, the ANU Act is “the [ANU’s] founding legislation and enabling Act, establishing the ANU and detailing its purpose/s and governance structure”. These consultations will lead to a bill, which will get introduced in Parliament later this year.
“The proposed reforms will modernise the ANU Act, strengthening accountability, representation, appointment processes and institutional culture,” the Minister said.
The aims of the proposed legislative amendments will primarily focus on the Council’s operations. The media release outlined how proposed amendments would, for example, demonstrate a strong governance approach in the University. It would also include more diverse representation in Council composition in job, skill, and identity background. A proposed amendment was clearly laid out, stating the reforms could “remove the requirement for the Council to approve Deputy Vice-Chancellor appointments”.
“These proposed amendments respond to the advice of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA),” The Minister stated.
TEQSA has been conducting a compliance assessment into the ANU since last year, although it has not been released as of yet.
An accompanying consultation paper was attached as an opportunity to inform the proposed reforms. Although current leaders of the ANU seemed eager to put the past behind them, this new development puts this plan in doubt.
More to come.
Graphics by James Neal
Know something we don’t know? Email news@anuobserver.org or use our anonymous tip submission.
If you have an issue with this article, or a correction to make, you can contact us at news@anuobserver.org, submit a formal dispute, or angry react the Facebook post.
If you don’t have an issue with this article and want to hear more from us, we’re in the process of making a newsletter! Sign up here, and have the latest news delivered directly to you.
Want to get involved? You can write articles, photograph, livestream or do web support. We’re also looking for someone to yell “extra!” outside Davey Lodge at 1AM. Apply today!By Sarah McCrea
ANU Observer 