‘I’m an easy person for everybody to kick’: Vice Chancellor

THE head of Charles Darwin University said he was an easy person to “pick on” after concerns were raised about his and the institution’s executives financial expertise.

Charles Darwin University Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks has responded to criticism about his and the university’s financial decisions. Picture: The Australian

THE head of Charles Darwin University said he was an easy person to “pick on” after concerns were raised about his and the institution’s executives financial expertise.

Criticism of the university’s financial decisions sparked again last week following the release of a proposal to sack library staff.

In an exclusive interview with the NT News, CDU vice chancellor Simon Maddocks said he wasn’t concerned about questions regarding his or his executives’ capabilities.

“I’m an easy person for everybody to kick, to say ‘oh this person doesn’t know what he’s doing’,” he said.

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“My job is to lead the university through a strategy and a strategic plan which was developed in conjunction with all of our staff, everybody involved in every year of the university had a chance to contribute to our vision and what we thought we needed to do to implement that vision.”

He said all decisions were in the best interests of CDU.

“Universities are about research trying new ideas. Not every research project is successful,” he said.

“We’re not about to go and do something really silly that jeopardises a whole lot of stuff.

“I will be the first to admit from time to time we will get things wrong.”

Former CDU Professor of Governance and economist Dr Don Fuller said the cuts reflected on the financial incompetence of senior staff.

“Financial management is all about getting the right programs together and being able to manage your budget,” he said.

“A major reason for the financial problems is the focus on the wrong programs, ones that don’t benefit the Territory.”

He said the senior executives were not taking advantage of several growth opportunities.

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“The (programs) that really need to be built up that they’re cutting are the programs directed towards improving indigenous wellbeing and economic development,” he said.

“Servicing Northern Territory health requirements adequately and establishing viable and innovative linkages with business in the Northern Territory.