James Cook University yet to make a call on Ridd appeal

James Cook University is yet to decide whether to appeal the decision of a judge who found its sacking of a professor was unlawful.

Former JCU professor Peter Ridd. Picture: Liam Kidston

James Cook University is yet to decide whether it will appeal against the decision of a Federal Circuit Court judge that its sacking of professor Peter Ridd was unlawful.

A penalties and relief hearing has this week been scheduled for July 18 and 19, giving Professor Ridd and JCU the opportunity to make written submissions and call witnesses. Professor Ridd, a marine physicist who worked at the Townsville university for 30 years, was sacked for allegedly breaching JCU’s code of conduct last year after he publicly critic­ised the institution over its science­ ­regarding the impact clim­ate change had on the Great Barrier Reef.

On April 16, judge Salvatore Vasta found all 17 findings used by the university to justify the sacking were unlawful. A JCU spokesman yesterday said an appea­l was still being considered.

In 2016 and again in 2017 , Professor Ridd was censured by the university over claims about colleagues’ work.