‘Absolute shemozzle’: embattled ANU head faces probe
Former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop has defended the management of one of Australia’s most prestigious universities in the face of allegations of bullying and widespread dissatisfaction on campus.
Ms Bishop was at the forefront of the Senate estimates hearing in Canberra, appearing in person after a schedule change to face serious questioning from former colleagues.
“We have been through what is arguably an unprecedented tumultuous time for the Australian National University, and change and restructuring can be difficult and painful for some in our community,” he told senators on Friday.
“Like many universities in Australia and around the world, ANU faces financial, operational and organizational challenges.”
The challenges included explosive bullying allegations leveled against Ms Bishop at a parliamentary hearing in August.
In an emotional statement, ANU demographer Liz Allen said Bishop accused her of leaking confidential documents, prevented her from leaving the room and laughed when the academic became upset.
Dr Allen told the committee that she considered suicide after the incident with Bishop and suggested that ongoing stress caused by university officials may have caused her to miscarry.
The 69-year-old, a Liberal deputy leader who served under three different prime ministers for more than a decade, defended his behavior when he appeared before Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi at the hearing.
“I absolutely deny any bullying by me towards any staff or student or any member of the ANU,” he said.
Asked about a union-led petition with more than 2,000 staff and student signatures demanding her resignation, Ms Bishop said the council still retained confidence in her and no suggestions had been made for her to step down.
Labor senator Tony Sheldon criticized the former foreign secretary for his record of collecting $150,000 in travel expenses and overseeing the university over five years.
“There has been a period of considerable instability and we are determined to put an end to it,” he said.
“I don’t believe it’s my place to evaluate my performance. I didn’t do that when I was a politician… My (university) council retained its confidence in me.”
Describing his leadership as “chaotic”, Mr Sheldon asked whether he would apologize for various management failures, which he described as “an absolute farce and … complete nonsense”.
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” he replied heatedly.
“I deny almost every allegation made against me in the media and will continue to do so.”
While the redundancies were given the green light, Ms Bishop pressed for nearly $800,000 to be spent on setting up a satellite ANU office in her home town of Perth.
He argued that the office was necessary to establish a national presence and raise the university’s profile through philanthropic connections that have raised nearly $10 million for the institution.
Interim vice-chancellor Rebekah Brown struck an easy-going tone, promising to rebuild a culture of trust between faculty and students.
He was appointed in September after his predecessor, Genevieve Bell, resigned following harsh media reports of bullying and staff dissatisfaction.
“I know trust can’t be rebuilt overnight, but I will do it by listening, showing up and being consistent throughout the four weeks I have been in this role,” he said.
ANU leaders are facing growing pressure from academics and students over a now-abandoned cost-cutting plan that included compulsory staff redundancies.
Ms Brown canceled planned redundancies but warned work was still needed to put the university on a sustainable footing.
A university committee reported in early October that former public servant and head of intelligence oversight Dr. Vivenne announced that it was conducting an investigation into management concerns, led by Thom, to be completed within five months.
