Media Release
8 May 2026
The National Tertiary Education Union has declared ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop's long-overdue resignation is a chance for the troubled university to heal.
Ms Bishop resigned on Thursday night after a litany of scandals engulfed the university in recent years.
NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes:
"Julie Bishop falling on her sword is long overdue and closes one of the darkest chapters we've seen at any Australian university.
"Staff have suffered enormously during her disastrous reign. ANU was the canary in the coalmine for the toxic governance crisis that infected our universities."
NTEU ACT Division Secretary Dr Lachlan Clohesy:
"This is a chance for calm and stability. Union members have stood up to protect our national university."
"Now that the fire has been put out, we'll wait and see if the forthcoming TEQSA report will tell us how it started."
"The former Chancellor has made two significant decisions which I support. The first was to accept the resignation of the former Vice-Chancellor, Genevieve Bell. The second was today.
"I'd like to salute the bravery of ANU staff, and Dr Liz Allen in particular."
NTEU ANU Branch President Millan Pintos-Lopez:
“Today marks an opportunity for the ANU community to turn the page on Renew ANU.
"Our members have been calling for accountability and change for the past 18 months, and this announcement will bring relief to many staff."
Media contacts:
Dr Lachlan Clohesy 0418 493 355 / Matt Coughlan 0400 561 480