29 January 2025

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has raised serious concerns about university leaders’ reaction to a federal parliamentary inquiry into governance.

The Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee released its full terms of reference on Wednesday with the inquiry to look at a raft of issues including governing bodies, transparency and accountability, employment practices, executive pay and the use of consultants. 

The NTEU has campaigned hard for a federal parliamentary inquiry into university governance after a raft of scandals uncovered shocking mismanagement of public institutions.

NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes said university leaders – including vice-chancellors, chancellors and executives – should not ignore serious sector-wide problems.
“Just to name a few issues, we’ve seen $734 million splashed on consultants in a single year, a hiring-firing yo-yo, an insecure work explosion and the stacking of university governance bodies with corporate appointees,” Dr Barnes said.

“That’s before we even mention obscene executive pay, more than $400 million in wage theft and conflicts of interest that would make the corporate sector blush.

“It’s incredibly concerning that despite all these issues, some university leaders want to keep their heads firmly in the sand and deny there’s serious systemic problems.

“The governance crisis denialism we’re seeing does nothing to improve universities so staff are given the best possible chance to provide world-class teaching and research.

“The terms of reference make it clear that this inquiry is designed to find genuine ways to reform higher education. It’s a mission all universities must commit to. 

“We want to thank Committee Chair Tony Sheldon and his fellow senators for backing such an important inquiry into university governance.” 

Contact: Matt Coughlan 0400 561 480 / [email protected]

Full terms of reference:

The Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee will inquire into governance at Australian higher education providers, specifically:

1. The adequacy of the powers available to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency to perform its role in identifying and addressing corporate governance issues at Australian higher education providers, with particular reference to:

a. The composition of providers' governing bodies and the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of their functions and processes, including in relation to expenditure, risk management and conflicts of interest;
b. The standard and accuracy of providers' financial reporting, and the effectiveness of financial safeguards and controls;
c. Providers' compliance with legislative requirements, including compliance with workplace laws and regulations;
d. The impact of providers' employment practices, executive remuneration, and the use of external consultants, on staff, students and the quality of higher education offered; and
e. Any related matters.