Chief Minister wants answers after University of Canberra vice-chancellor quits

The ACT’s Chief Minister is seeking a briefing from the University of Canberra Council after interim vice-chancellor Stephen Parker quit, citing a ‘lack of confidence’ in them.

Stephen Parker, the interim vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, resigned on Monday.

The ACT government has written to University of Canberra chancellor Lisa Paul about the university’s financial situation and called for an audit of university governance, after its vice-chancellor resigned citing a lack of confidence in the University Council.

On Monday, interim vice-chancellor Stephen Parker – the fourth vice-chancellor in 14 months – resigned, effective immediately, with an email from Ms Paul stating “he had lost confidence in (the) council”. This was despite the university’s “preference that Professor Parker stay on for a few more weeks to work collaboratively with the council to finalise the budget process”, which she said was his principal role.

On Tuesday, the ACT government said it had sought answers from Ms Paul and the council about how to reduce the anticipated deficit.

Former government services minister Bill Shorten will begin as vice-chancellor in February.

“The Chief Minister has been in contact with representatives of the University of Canberra, including Professor Parker, in recent weeks,” a spokesman for Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

“The government is aware of the significant challenges faced by the university sector. The University of Canberra is not immune to these pressures, and news of job losses is distressing for everyone in the Canberra community – particular for those households ­impacted.

“The Chief Minister has raised concerns with the chancellor about the financial situation of the university and has sought a briefing from the council on strategies to reduce the anticipated deficit.

“Given the immediacy of the issue, the Chief Minister has written to the ACT Auditor-General suggesting a performance audit of the university’s governance ­arrangements.”

In October, the university revealed it would need to cut at least 200 jobs as part of $50m in recurrent expenditure it would need to save by the end of next year.

In her note to staff about Professor Parker’s resignation, Ms Paul wrote: “This has been a challenging period for all of us at UC, and I want to again acknowledge the hurt and distress for those of our dedicated people who are ­directly affected by a number of the necessary changes.” She also said the council was developing a plan to move to a more sustainable financial position.

In response, the National Tertiary Education Union ACT branch called for a “comprehensive review” of the university’s governance. The Australian understands deputy chancellor Pat­ricia Kelly wrote to the NTEU to reassure the union it would sign off on the restructure, redundancy and forward budget plans at the council meeting on December 6.