Mark Vaile withdraws from role as University of Newcastle chancellor after pressure over mining links

University of Newcastle is desperately searching for a new chancellor, after Mark Vaile quit the role amid pressure over his ties to fossil fuels.

Less than three weeks after being announced as University of Newcastle’s new chancellor, Mark Vaile has quit the role.

The announcement late on Monday came after mounting pressure from staff, students and donors because of Mr Vaile’s mining links.

In a statement the former deputy prime minister, and chair of miner Whitehaven Coal, said he had decided not to proceed with the role after feedback from the university community.

The university council will meet on Tuesday to determine who will take on the role from July 1.

EARLIER

June 4, 2021

Former Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile will use his political connections to help shine a light on the University of Newcastle, not just locally and across the nation, but as an international powerhouse.

The ex-leader of the National Party and trades minister has been unveiled as the University’s eighth chancellor, set to take over from Paul Jeans who will be retiring at the end of June.

With a political career that dates back to 1985 in local government at Greater Taree City Council, being elected to the Federal House of Representatives eight years later, before leaving parliament in 2008 to work in the private sector, Mr Vaile sees his experience as a “significant attribute” to the University role.

“The years I was Australia’s trade minister were the years of significant growth of education rising to be one of our most successful exports, and during that time in Government, I helped a number of universities establish a presence and a significant standing amongst the international community,” he said.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile AO will be the eighth Chancellor of the University of Newcastle. Picture: Supplied.

“The University has established a campus in Singapore and I see that as being a critical component of the University going forward.

“The University always looks for someone that is connected and rooted in the region and I am from the mid north coast.”

Coming into the role at a time where COVID-19 still has an impact on universities across Australia, Mr Vaile said he will continue to weather the challenge and work towards a digital future.

“The professional and academic staff at the University have done an outstanding job to deliver a lot of the services on the online platform and trying to accommodate the unprecedented circumstances during the pandemic,” he explained.

“There’s lots of lessons to be learned out of that but it’s going to take some creativity and flexibility of thought with policy going forward in the next post COVID environment.”

Mr Vaile said while it’s too early to start making any “grand predictions” about what he may or may not change come his start date on July 1, he hopes to continue to deliver the organisations educational prowess.

“The University is ranked 197 on the global stage which is quite significant for a regional University,” he said.

“It’s about continuing to deliver excellence in teaching and research, the whole equity program in terms of access that leads the class in Australia, particularly in the area of indigenous education, it has a fantastic program.

“It’s deeply engaged with the region, it’s stable financially and stands on a great platform to continue to grow and deliver in ways that are required in the post COVID world.”

Deputy chancellor Michelle McPherson said Mr Vaile was appointed unanimously in the role, and cited his credentials were exemplary.

“Mr Vaile’s experience with our international partners right through to our local communities will be invaluable for our future both in our regions and on the world stage and our full Council looks forward to working with him,” Ms McPherson said.

Outgoing chancellor Mr Jeans said his tenure at the University of Newcastle was a wonderful experience and extraordinary privilege.

“During my time as Chancellor, we have graduated some 73,000 people and every graduation has reinforced in me the importance of what we do here at the University of Newcastle,” he said.

“I was particularly proud of all the graduating students of 2020 and the staff who helped them achieve their goals despite the enormous challenges of COVID-19.”

Chancellor Paul Jeans at the Graduation Day for TAFE and University Students at Ourimbah Campus. Picture By Mark Scott

During Chancellor Jeans’ time in the role, the University has achieved its highest ever global ranking according to QS World University Rankings, and has reinforced its place as the sector leader in indigenous education, with the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander full time equivalent students for any Australian university.

“The power of education is one thing. The delivery of education in an environment that celebrates indigenous culture is what makes our University truly special,” Mr Jeans said.

He also had a hand in game-changing infrastructure investments including NUspace, the Honeysuckle site acquisition, the Bioresources facility and student accommodation at Callaghan and the Central Coast.

Mr Vaile was elected to the Federal House of Representatives in 1993. While in government, he held several ministerial positions including Transport and Regional Development, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. In the pivotal role of Minister Trade, Mr Vaile negotiated a number of Australia’s key Trade Agreements including the Singapore-Australia Agreement, the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement and the Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.

Since leaving Federal Parliament in July 2008, Mr Vaile embarked on a career in the private sector and has served on the Boards of a number of ASX-listed companies and large organisations including Servcorp, StamfordLand, HostPlus, Virgin Australia, 123 Education China, Whitehaven Coal, CBD Renewable Energy, and Palisade Investment Partners.