‘Justifiably grave concerns’ about ANU, but ‘nothing unlawful’, interim chancellor says
Australian National University Acting Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe acknowledged there were “rightfully serious concerns” about the educator but maintained he “did nothing illegal” following the extraordinary resignation of former foreign minister Julie Bishop.
Ms Bishop stood down as chancellor last month following intense scrutiny of her administration, citing “unprecedented and coordinated interference” by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in the running of the ANU Council.
In a wide-ranging statement, Mr Metcalfe told the Senate on Friday there had been “many developments to consider” in recent weeks and months, but the situation the Canberra-based educator has faced over the years “means difficult decisions often have to be made”.
Mr Metcalfe said he could summarize many of the debates in 22 words with a “relatively fresh perspective”.
“There have rightly been serious concerns about many aspects of ANU’s governance, leadership, decision-making and culture in recent years,” he said.
“It therefore follows that rebuilding confidence in the management and leadership of the ANU will require many practical actions and the determination to sustain them.”
Mr Metcalfe said that, as a result, the ANU Council, six of whose members resigned following Bishop’s resignation, was co-operating with TEQSA and that the appointment of the new chancellor would be overseen by a “largely independent panel”, including himself.
“We believe that this largely independent select committee is a practical way for the Council to begin to regain lost trust and confidence,” he said.
The ANU has repeatedly faced controversy in recent years; These included the national audit office’s scathing review, which found the ANU Council had approved a controversial $250 million cost-cutting program without “clear evidence” that it was urgent or necessary.
Mr. Metcalfe said staff and students at Friday’s hearing described “the last few years as traumatic.”
“I have heard anger, disappointment, hurt and words like ‘we are not valued,’ but overwhelmingly everyone I talk to cares deeply about the university and its mission, and they continue to do the best they can despite these challenging times,” Mr. Metcalfe said.
Asked about Liberal senator Maria Kovacic’s departure from the ANU Council, Metcalfe said there had been legal opinions advising against co-operating with TEQSA in the appointment of the next chancellor, but that everything had been done in accordance with the law.
“Legal advice was legal advice, but ultimately the Council must act in the best interests of the university,” he said.
‘We are very confident that we have not done anything illegal. On the contrary, we made a very accurate decision.”
Mr Metcalfe also stated that the ANU Council had found that Interim Vice-Chancellor Rebekah Brown “acted in the best interests of the university at all times” and that “harmful actions and media articles have had no adverse impact on Professor Brown’s reputation”.
