Update on Charles Darwin University’s planned cuts

CHARLES Darwin University has provided fresh figures about how many people are expected to lose their jobs in the College of Nursing and Midwifery

Only about two people are expected to lose their jobs, says CDU

CHARLES Darwin University has provided fresh figures about how many people are expected to lose their jobs in the College of Nursing and Midwifery.

Speaking to ABC Darwin this morning, CDU acting Vice Chancellor professor Sue Carthew said only about two people were expected to lose their jobs.

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In June, internal documents revealed the College of Nursing and Midwifery was expected to lose at least 23 jobs in the NT through the axing of vacant and held positions and the reshuffling of jobs to Sydney.

The revelations were outlined in internal documents and expected to save the university more than $3.8 million.

The NT News understands CDU has put through a revised paper to staff this week, however, the paper is yet to be finalised.

Ms Carthew told ABC Darwin the only “cuts” in the program was in relation to repositing their staffing.

“As part of our look across the university at our operations, our costs and so on, we have been going through various change proposals,” she said.

“It did cause quite a lot of angst across staff and the community. We listened to that feedback and modified the proposal.

“The staffing losses are very minimal … I think it’s a total of two.”

Ms Carthew defended the move.

“We’re diversifying, not cutting,” she said.

“We will continue to offer our bachelor of nursing and I hope it will grow from strength to strength but we will also start offering some refreshed and new post graduate courses in nursing.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner talks during a presser. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

On Monday, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he was “worried” about CDU’s plan to axe jobs from the College of Nursing and Midwifery.

Speaking to ABC Darwin Monday morning, Mr Gunner said the course was important and he cuts were concerning.

“I spoke to both the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor about my concerns about what’s happening in the nursing and training sector,” he said.

“It’s one of the best things that the university does as far as volume through and quality of product out.”

On Friday, the NT Government provided a one-off $7 million to CDU, following an independent review of the university’s delivery of Vocational Education and Training.

The CDU 2018 annual report, tabled in NT parliament last week, confirmed the education provider recorded a $21 million deficit last year.

None of the $7 million will go to the College of Nursing and Midwifery.