ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop said there was no reason for her to step aside from her role at the university. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
There’s been no firm commitment to reversing or stopping the proposed restructures or job cuts at the Australian National University (ANU) after the Vice-Chancellor stepped down earlier today (11 September).
Chancellor Julie Bishop has also stated there are “no grounds” for her to follow suit.
Professor Genevieve Bell tendered her resignation after increasing political and community pressure over the way the Renew ANU program (to bring the ANU finances back into the black) has been handled.
During a packed all-staff town hall this afternoon, interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said she’d meet with college deans and senior leadership next week to figure out Renew ANU’s future.
“I can’t give any statement [on Renew ANU] today,” she told a packed Lleweynn Hall.
“[We] intend to give very serious considerations … [but] there’s no decision at this time.”
A draft roadmap forward is expected to be produced from those meetings which will be put to the community.
The current change management plans under consideration, and the implementation plans yet to be started, will be examined “very carefully”.
Chancellor Julie Bishop was also present at the town hall, and spoke with media afterwards.
When asked by Region why it was appropriate for her to stay in her role, given the allegations of bullying and harassment against her, she remained firm that her place was at the university.
“I reject the allegations, that I heard for the first time on the 12th of August, that I have treated any staff at ANU with anything other than the greatest respect and civility and courtesy. I reject the allegations that I have acted otherwise,” Ms Bishop responded.
“My contract concludes at the end of 2026. [The ANU] Council have confirmed that they have confidence in me to lead this period of transition.”
Prof Brown had indicated during the town hall that the university leadership had not had a uniform understanding of ANU’s financial situation, nor how it had deteriorated.
Region asked Ms Bishop why the leadership felt it was appropriate to go ahead with the Renew ANU program given this lack of clarity.
“I believe that the process of change went through significant iterations, that there were significant processes in place to clarify what we were seeking to do,” she said.
“From my perspective, there are lessons to be learned, there are always things that any organisation can do better to ensure that we achieve the outcomes that mean the future sustainability of this institution, and that our staff and students have the best experience that is possible.”
Rejecting the allegations against her, Ms Bishop said the Senate hearing was the first time she had been given notice of them.
“There are no grounds for me to step aside on untested … allegations,” she said.
This statement was followed by a cry of “Solidarity for Liz” from the balcony seats, in reference to Dr Allen.
Ms Bishop has submitted her right of reply to the Senate inquiry, which is where Dr Allen’s allegations of bullying and harassment were made. It’s unknown whether a decision has been made to make that public.
ANU Provost Professor Rebekah Brown has been announced as the university’s interim Vice-Chancellor following Professor Genevieve Bell’s resignation. Photo: ANU.
Prof Brown told the town hall that a strategy would need to be developed to rebuild the ANU’s broader image.
“[There’s] absolutely no doubt that we need to be working on our reputation,” she said.
As for the psychosocial consequences of the program, Prof Brown said she’d already identified that more support needed to be hired and provided for staff and students.
“We need to be doing more inside our own organisation,” she said.
“We don’t want this [extra support] to take long. It’s going to be a clunky, rapid response but it’s going to be what we need to do.”
Ms Bishop told media that the university had now “turned a page”.
“We’re moving ahead, we are listening, we are assessing the feedback and we’re determined to take options for a way forward that balances the balancing of our budget, takes into account what financial sustainability does look like in this sector … [and] balancing it with care and compassion for the remarkable people who are so committed to this university,” she said.
“I feel very confident and very positive about the university’s future.”
