Uni of Adelaide vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen under ICAC investigation

Vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen, who took indefinite leave earlier this week, is under investigation over ‘allegations of improper conduct’.

University of Adelaide vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen is being investigated by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

University of Adelaide vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen, who took indefinite leave from his post earlier this week, is being investigated by the South Australian Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

In an unusual statement the commissioner, Bruce Lander, said on Thursday that he had “commenced an investigation in respect of allegations of improper conduct by the vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide”.

“I am also investigating the manner in which the university dealt with those allegations. The university has committed to providing full co-operation with my investigation. I do not intend to comment further on the nature of the allegations,” Mr Lander said.

The commissioner’s statement explains what lay behind a week of unprecedented turmoil at the university in which it lost its two most senior leaders but was unable to explain what happened.

Before Professor Rathjen stood aside on indefinite leave on Tuesday morning, the university’s chancellor, Kevin Scarce, announced his resignation, effective immediately, on Monday afternoon.

The resignation of Mr Scarce, a former South Australian governor, came after a special meeting of the university’s council, its top governing body.

Mr Lander said in his statement that, ordinarily, he would not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation he was conducting.

“However, in light of the intense speculation regarding the University of Adelaide, and the likelihood that that speculation will continue and potentially lead to an unnecessary negative impact on the university’s operations, I have decided to make this public statement,” he said.

Mr Lander said he wished to emphasise two points.

“First, the fact of my investigation, which has only just commenced, must not be construed as a finding that any person has engaged in impropriety. That will be a matter for findings at the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.

“Secondly, my investigation is in respect of potential issues of serious or systemic misconduct and maladministration, not corruption.”

He said he would follow the legislative requirement to consider, at the end of the investigation, whether it was in the public interest to publish his findings.

Following Mr Lander’s statement, University of Adelaide deputy chancellor Catherine Branson emailed university staff saying: “While it is natural for us to want to know more about what is happening, we need to remember that this is a matter for the ICAC”.

“As you will know, the law places restraints on what can be said about an ICAC investigation. This is why the university is not able to comment further,” she said.