Our ANU
@ouranu.bsky.social
Staff campaigning against cuts and poor governance at the Australian National University.
Pinned
Our ANU
@ouranu.bsky.social
· Sep 11
“ANU urgently needs new direction and new leadership – one that restores its focus on research, education, and the free dissemination of knowledge.”
Our ANU’s statement on the VC’s resignation 👇
drive.google.com/file/d/1e3Lh...
Our ANU’s statement on the VC’s resignation 👇
drive.google.com/file/d/1e3Lh...
Reposted by Our ANU
The Expert Council on University Governance has delivered its recommendations – the depth of the crisis in our universities is clear. Thank you to every member who attended meetings, presented evidence, and stood up for better universities.
Read the report 👉 betterunis.nteu.au/inquiry/
Read the report 👉 betterunis.nteu.au/inquiry/
October 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The Expert Council on University Governance has delivered its recommendations – the depth of the crisis in our universities is clear. Thank you to every member who attended meetings, presented evidence, and stood up for better universities.
Read the report 👉 betterunis.nteu.au/inquiry/
Read the report 👉 betterunis.nteu.au/inquiry/
Reposted by Our ANU
MAJOR UNION WIN 🥳 The federal government will implement a new set of university governance principles to strengthen accountability, transparency and public trust following recommendations from the Expert Council on University Governance.
Read more: nteu.info/majorwin
@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Read more: nteu.info/majorwin
@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
MAJOR UNION WIN 🥳 The federal government will implement a new set of university governance principles to strengthen accountability, transparency and public trust following recommendations from the Expert Council on University Governance.
Read more: nteu.info/majorwin
@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Read more: nteu.info/majorwin
@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Senator @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social “accused Mr Churchill of lying to … the Senate when he’d … said underlying UniForm data and methodology had been released to ANU staff …
He said ANU had made an explainer … as the university didn’t have access to the raw data.”
region.com.au/anus-financi...
He said ANU had made an explainer … as the university didn’t have access to the raw data.”
region.com.au/anus-financi...
ANU's financial outlook 'stable'; $800,000 Perth base set to close | Region Canberra
The Australian National University is looking to exit the lease of its Perth office, which cost almost $800,000 to establish,…
region.com.au
October 15, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Senator @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social “accused Mr Churchill of lying to … the Senate when he’d … said underlying UniForm data and methodology had been released to ANU staff …
He said ANU had made an explainer … as the university didn’t have access to the raw data.”
region.com.au/anus-financi...
He said ANU had made an explainer … as the university didn’t have access to the raw data.”
region.com.au/anus-financi...
Reposted by Our ANU
Some very interesting revelations about UniForum at Senate Estimates last night.
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
UniForum is a “benchmarking service” that Nous provides to universities globally.
University executives frequently invoke UniForum as an objective justification for cuts and redundancies.
This UniForum graph, for example, was a centerpiece of the case ANU’s ex-VC made to Council for Renew ANU. 👇
University executives frequently invoke UniForum as an objective justification for cuts and redundancies.
This UniForum graph, for example, was a centerpiece of the case ANU’s ex-VC made to Council for Renew ANU. 👇
October 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Some very interesting revelations about UniForum at Senate Estimates last night.
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
First, ANU exec appears to have misled the Senate by implying they gave staff access to the underlying UniForum data and methodology.
In fact, they gave staff little more than opaque scatter plots like this one👇
1/3
“The challenge for Australia’s top universities … is to align perceived prestige with academic integrity. That should mean linking executive incentives not to ranking positions alone but to measures like … equitable pay, staff retention and audit transparency.”
www.crikey.com.au/2025/10/10/a...
www.crikey.com.au/2025/10/10/a...
Australia's universities may win in global rankings, but they're failing teachers and students
An overreliance on foreign students and a predilection towards wage theft means Australia's universities are worse than the rankings suggest.
www.crikey.com.au
October 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
“The challenge for Australia’s top universities … is to align perceived prestige with academic integrity. That should mean linking executive incentives not to ranking positions alone but to measures like … equitable pay, staff retention and audit transparency.”
www.crikey.com.au/2025/10/10/a...
www.crikey.com.au/2025/10/10/a...
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi said 2,000 ANU staff and students had signed a petition calling for the termination of Bishop’s appointment. “Do their views not matter to you? Are you only interested in the cabal of executives who back you?”
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/anu-cha...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/anu-cha...
ANU chancellor’s expenses ‘a good return on investment’
Former politician not for turning, amid denunciation of culture, oversight and spending at national university
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi said 2,000 ANU staff and students had signed a petition calling for the termination of Bishop’s appointment. “Do their views not matter to you? Are you only interested in the cabal of executives who back you?”
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/anu-cha...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/anu-cha...
Bishop repeatedly claimed she had the “full support” of the council and the university’s deans, and that it was her responsibility to ensure that when her term finished at the end of 2026 “we have stability in place”.
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Bishop clashes with senators over the ‘unmitigated stuff-up’ at ANU
Julie Bishop has refused to apologise for any of the fallout at ANU over the past year which has been marked by scandal and unrest.
www.afr.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Bishop repeatedly claimed she had the “full support” of the council and the university’s deans, and that it was her responsibility to ensure that when her term finished at the end of 2026 “we have stability in place”.
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
“Labor senator Tony Sheldon hammered the former foreign minister [Chancellor Julie Bishop] for racking up $150,000 in travel expenses as well as her performance overseeing the university for more than five years.”
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
'Absolute shemozzle': embattled ANU head faces probe | Canberra CityNews
Foreign minister-turned-chancellor of the ANU Julie Bishop has faced senators to discuss governance issues that have plagued the institution.
citynews.com.au
October 10, 2025 at 11:28 PM
“Labor senator Tony Sheldon hammered the former foreign minister [Chancellor Julie Bishop] for racking up $150,000 in travel expenses as well as her performance overseeing the university for more than five years.”
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
Reposted by Our ANU
‘Absolute shemozzle’
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
'Absolute shemozzle': embattled ANU head faces probe | Canberra CityNews
Foreign minister-turned-chancellor of the ANU Julie Bishop has faced senators to discuss governance issues that have plagued the institution.
citynews.com.au
October 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
‘Absolute shemozzle’
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
citynews.com.au/2025/absolut...
“Ms Bishop had to take the exact dollar figure on notice, but said the “resignation package was what she was entitled to under the contract of engagement as vice-chancellor.”
Ms Bishop said Prof. Bell was paid part of her salary for a period of time rather than giving notice.”
tinyurl.com/4ma8ujkr
Ms Bishop said Prof. Bell was paid part of her salary for a period of time rather than giving notice.”
tinyurl.com/4ma8ujkr
Lavish ANU Perth office to close, Bishop reveals at Senate estimates
Rebekah Brown tried to change Renew ANU but didn't have the authority, Senate estimates hears.
tinyurl.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
“Ms Bishop had to take the exact dollar figure on notice, but said the “resignation package was what she was entitled to under the contract of engagement as vice-chancellor.”
Ms Bishop said Prof. Bell was paid part of her salary for a period of time rather than giving notice.”
tinyurl.com/4ma8ujkr
Ms Bishop said Prof. Bell was paid part of her salary for a period of time rather than giving notice.”
tinyurl.com/4ma8ujkr
“Characterising [Julie Bishop’s] leadership as "chaotic", Mr Sheldon asked if she would apologise for several governance failures which he described as "an absolute shemozzle and ... an unmitigated stuff-up".”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908613...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908613...
'Absolute shemozzle': embattled ANU head faces probe
Foreign minister-turned-chancellor of a top-tier university Julie Bishop has faced senators to discuss governance issues that have plagued...
www.canberratimes.com.au
October 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
“Characterising [Julie Bishop’s] leadership as "chaotic", Mr Sheldon asked if she would apologise for several governance failures which he described as "an absolute shemozzle and ... an unmitigated stuff-up".”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908613...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908613...
Reposted by Our ANU
"So, how do you turn a $90 million surplus into a $142.5 million deficit?
Easy. You just exclude nearly a quarter of a billion dollars of revenue that the auditor thought should be included."
tinyurl.com/5b4ruecb
@ouranu.bsky.social
@nteuact.bsky.social
Full text on r/anu on Reddit
Easy. You just exclude nearly a quarter of a billion dollars of revenue that the auditor thought should be included."
tinyurl.com/5b4ruecb
@ouranu.bsky.social
@nteuact.bsky.social
Full text on r/anu on Reddit
A closer look at the ANU books reveals a hard truth about these job cuts
The phantom deficit and a series of cuts by choice, not necessity.
tinyurl.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
"So, how do you turn a $90 million surplus into a $142.5 million deficit?
Easy. You just exclude nearly a quarter of a billion dollars of revenue that the auditor thought should be included."
tinyurl.com/5b4ruecb
@ouranu.bsky.social
@nteuact.bsky.social
Full text on r/anu on Reddit
Easy. You just exclude nearly a quarter of a billion dollars of revenue that the auditor thought should be included."
tinyurl.com/5b4ruecb
@ouranu.bsky.social
@nteuact.bsky.social
Full text on r/anu on Reddit
“If the new leadership wants to rebuild trust … they need to explain why they think the audited accounts are so misleading … and what future plans they have that are so beneficial they are willing to take an axe to … students, … staff, and … reputation…”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908473...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908473...
A closer look at the ANU books reveals a hard truth about these job cuts
The phantom deficit and a series of cuts by choice, not necessity.
www.canberratimes.com.au
October 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“If the new leadership wants to rebuild trust … they need to explain why they think the audited accounts are so misleading … and what future plans they have that are so beneficial they are willing to take an axe to … students, … staff, and … reputation…”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908473...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908473...
VCs are “not interchangeable” with people who run banks or mining companies ... “Yet the current approach prices them as though they could walk into the C-suite of a listed company – a fiction that drives pay packages ever higher.”
@marijataflaga.bsky.social and @francismarkham.bsky.social
@marijataflaga.bsky.social and @francismarkham.bsky.social
Institutional autonomy ‘not threatened’ by proposal to more than halve executive pay, Australian academics say, as universities insist councils should maintain control
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/regulate-inflated-v-c-salaries-australian-senators-told
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/regulate-inflated-v-c-salaries-australian-senators-told
October 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
VCs are “not interchangeable” with people who run banks or mining companies ... “Yet the current approach prices them as though they could walk into the C-suite of a listed company – a fiction that drives pay packages ever higher.”
@marijataflaga.bsky.social and @francismarkham.bsky.social
@marijataflaga.bsky.social and @francismarkham.bsky.social
Reposted by Our ANU
So many Australian colleagues put through a year of worries and uncertainty. All because Nous Consultancy only thrives on a scarcity narrative?
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
New analysis by The Australia Institute finds the Australian National University has a $90 million surplus, not a $142 million deficit!
The ANU’s hidden $90m budget surplus
New analysis by The Australia Institute reveals there is no financial crisis at the Australian National University.
australiainstitute.org.au
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM
So many Australian colleagues put through a year of worries and uncertainty. All because Nous Consultancy only thrives on a scarcity narrative?
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Bit if a reminder that those cuts can never be justified in pedagogical or academic term, whatever the spin.
Reposted by Our ANU
Can you help us boost this signal? UTS colleagues are doing a governance project to talk back to the consultant led 'reform' of their university.
Please repost!! UTS people please have your say!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Please repost!! UTS people please have your say!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
UTS Governance Project Survey: A Staff-Led Collaborative Project
The UTS Governance Project is an independent, staff-led initiative to strengthen transparency, accountability and participation in how our university is run.
Inspired by the ANU Governance Project, ...
docs.google.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Can you help us boost this signal? UTS colleagues are doing a governance project to talk back to the consultant led 'reform' of their university.
Please repost!! UTS people please have your say!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Please repost!! UTS people please have your say!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Associate Professor Nick Cheesman summed up the rebellion for the ABC, “The Vice-Chancellor would not have had to resign but for the increasingly organised revolt against ANU management by thousands of academics and their pupils.”
solidarity.net.au/highlights/e...
solidarity.net.au/highlights/e...
End to forced redundancies at ANU shows power of fighting campaign – Solidarity Online
After a year-long campaign, interim Vice-Chancellor Rebekah Brown has announced an end to forced redundancies under management’s drastic restructuring scheme, Renew ANU.
solidarity.net.au
October 7, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Associate Professor Nick Cheesman summed up the rebellion for the ABC, “The Vice-Chancellor would not have had to resign but for the increasingly organised revolt against ANU management by thousands of academics and their pupils.”
solidarity.net.au/highlights/e...
solidarity.net.au/highlights/e...
“The terms of reference limit Thom to investigating only the allegations raised during the August 12 Senate hearing. She will not look into broader issues of culture, governance and leadership at the university.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
Canberra’s go-to investigator looks at Julie Bishop bullying claims
A major 12-month probe will examine allegations of threats, bullying and intimidation made against the ANU chancellor.
www.afr.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:39 AM
“The terms of reference limit Thom to investigating only the allegations raised during the August 12 Senate hearing. She will not look into broader issues of culture, governance and leadership at the university.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
“Herein lies the question: if not to sustain ANU’s once diverse range of courses and degrees, and if not to retain the knowledge and skills of its academics, then what is that $232.4 million revenue for?”
www.woroni.com.au/news/austral...
www.woroni.com.au/news/austral...
WoroniAustralia Institute Analyses ANU Budget Reports—No Deficit Found - Woroni
The Australia Institute has released its audited analysis of ANU’s 2023 and 2024 budget. ANU’s unaudited deficit was reported at $142.5 million, while its audited revenue showed a surplus of $89.9 mil...
www.woroni.com.au
October 4, 2025 at 3:58 AM
“Herein lies the question: if not to sustain ANU’s once diverse range of courses and degrees, and if not to retain the knowledge and skills of its academics, then what is that $232.4 million revenue for?”
www.woroni.com.au/news/austral...
www.woroni.com.au/news/austral...
Reposted by Our ANU
The ANU says it's in crisis. Does this look like a financial crisis to you?
October 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The ANU says it's in crisis. Does this look like a financial crisis to you?
Reposted by Our ANU
'Cooking the books': national think tank questions ANU finances
Our research was covered by the Canberra Times today.
Read the report: australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-anu...
Read the article: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
Our research was covered by the Canberra Times today.
Read the report: australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-anu...
Read the article: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
October 2, 2025 at 1:40 AM
'Cooking the books': national think tank questions ANU finances
Our research was covered by the Canberra Times today.
Read the report: australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-anu...
Read the article: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
Our research was covered by the Canberra Times today.
Read the report: australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-anu...
Read the article: www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
Important new independent analysis from David Richardson and @richarddenniss.bsky.social at @australiainstitute.org.au
They argue that ANU’s books “appear designed to present a ‘crisis’ that is contradicted by the audited financial statements.”
australiainstitute.org.au/report/cooki...
They argue that ANU’s books “appear designed to present a ‘crisis’ that is contradicted by the audited financial statements.”
australiainstitute.org.au/report/cooki...
Cooking the books at the Australian National University - An analysis of the ANU accounts
Audited financial statements show that the ANU made a ‘profit’ of $90 million in 2024 and $136 million in 2023. Despite such strong financial results, ANU
australiainstitute.org.au
October 2, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Important new independent analysis from David Richardson and @richarddenniss.bsky.social at @australiainstitute.org.au
They argue that ANU’s books “appear designed to present a ‘crisis’ that is contradicted by the audited financial statements.”
australiainstitute.org.au/report/cooki...
They argue that ANU’s books “appear designed to present a ‘crisis’ that is contradicted by the audited financial statements.”
australiainstitute.org.au/report/cooki...
“In a research paper from the @australiainstitute.org.au called *Cooking the books at the Australian National University*, David Richardson and @richarddenniss.bsky.social said the ANU's argument about its unhealthy financial position was "flimsy".”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
'Cooking the books': national think tank questions ANU finances
'They should make clear how they use such donations.'
www.canberratimes.com.au
October 1, 2025 at 9:14 PM
“In a research paper from the @australiainstitute.org.au called *Cooking the books at the Australian National University*, David Richardson and @richarddenniss.bsky.social said the ANU's argument about its unhealthy financial position was "flimsy".”
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907948...
Reposted by Our ANU
Already 20% of the workforce gone and yet somehow still looking to impose compulsory redundancies? What on earth is going to be left of Brunel when this management team is done?
co-sign here: speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/stop-brunel-...
co-sign here: speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/stop-brunel-...
September 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Already 20% of the workforce gone and yet somehow still looking to impose compulsory redundancies? What on earth is going to be left of Brunel when this management team is done?
co-sign here: speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/stop-brunel-...
co-sign here: speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/stop-brunel-...
“Professorships have been awarded to academics with no PhD, little research, and no record of supervising postgraduates. Professor Paul Matin, of the Australian Association of University Professors, criticises this trend...”
www.woroni.com.au/news/inside-...
www.woroni.com.au/news/inside-...
WoroniInside ANU’s School of Cybernetics — Bell’s Personal Fiefdom - Woroni
The ANU School of Cybernetics, launched with bold ambitions to shape the future of technology, is not at the centre of controversy. With 28 academic staff and just 15 PhD students this year, it has th...
www.woroni.com.au
September 30, 2025 at 3:25 AM
“Professorships have been awarded to academics with no PhD, little research, and no record of supervising postgraduates. Professor Paul Matin, of the Australian Association of University Professors, criticises this trend...”
www.woroni.com.au/news/inside-...
www.woroni.com.au/news/inside-...