John was courted for a $1m a year job while told his firm would likely win a consultancy contract
The University of Wollongong appointed KordaMentha partner John Dewar as interim vice-chancellor in May 2024, with chancellor Michael Still telling him it was “very likely” his consultancy would win business at that very university.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is in the midst of a multifaceted public hearing investigating the university, including into Dewar’s appointment as vice-chancellor and whether a conflict of interest between his appointment and KordaMentha’s appointment was adequately managed.
Dewar said in a May 2024 email to KordaMentha boss Henriette Rothschild, Still said they were conducting the work with the university “in a way that made it more likely that we would win.” The email to ICAC said there were two other contenders: the big four who “won’t get it” and a smaller team that had done work for the university he was unhappy with.
At this stage, Still was trying to get Dewar to leave KordaMentha temporarily for a $1 million-a-year job at the university; The university was facing a host of problems at the time, including weak finances, disengaged staff and a $169 million debt to a developer due to a housing contract derailed by the pandemic.
Dewar told the lawyer assisting Emma Bathurst that he had initially wanted KordaMentha to be given the job of “diagnosing” the university’s troubles without a buy-in process, but still raised integrity concerns.
In another email to Still’s tender to ICAC, it was stated that this should be a “proper procurement process”.
The Order of Australia member acknowledged on Thursday afternoon that this had put some obstacles in the way of his hopes that his firm would benefit.
An Oxford graduate and former vice-chancellor of La Trobe University, Dewar’s suitability for the post suddenly vacated by Patricia Davidson was flagged by University of NSW chancellor David Gonski. Vice-chancellor Attila Brungs introduced Still to Dewar.
ICAC is also investigating whether former executive chairman Alyssa White helped friends and associates find jobs at the university on at least 10 occasions, and whether Still, White or other staff improperly used their roles to award jobs to consultancy firm Aspirall.
On Tuesday the ICAC heard White told head of public and culture Alison Bourke that the $389,000 job in the vice-chancellor’s office would be “mine”.
Bourke said he was shocked by White’s certainty, given the absence of a competitive process and the legal risks, and claimed he told White that the “appearance” of such a well-paying job should be considered in the context of the university’s financial troubles.
“I thought I was a bum at one stage,” Bourke said.
At the hearing, it was stated that White’s electrician and school friend was given a job in the management despite having no expertise, that he could not complete the preliminary interview task and submitted his application late; On another occasion, White reportedly told a former marketing manager who was married to a friend, “You’ll definitely be hired!!” It was said.
ICAC will restart on Friday.
