UTAS hires leading lawyer to oversee a review into the term of its former vice chancellor

UTAS will bring in an independent expert to investigate if a former vice chancellor committed any wrongdoing during his tenure, after being found guilty of sexual misconduct.

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A MELBOURNE based barrister has been appointed by the University of Tasmania to determine any unreported or undetected issues during disgraced former vice chancellor Peter Rathjen’s term.

It was found by Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) Bruce Lander that Prof Rathjen committed “serious misconduct” by groping two women staff during a work trip in 2019 while vice chancellor at the University of Adelaide.

Adelaide University’s former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen at an event in Sydney, April 11, 2019 Picture: Monique Louise Ferguson

He served at the South Australian university from 2018 until July this year after leading UTAS between 2011 and 2017.

In a letter to staff on Wednesday, UTAS vice-chancellor Rufus Black said he would be “open and transparent” about any findings into Prof Rathjen’s time at UTAS.

It follows a letter Prof Black sent staff last month which said no known evidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault involving Prof Rathjen during his UTAS tenure had been found.

But Prof Black yesterday said the university had now “initiated a review to determine if there are unreported or undetected issues arising from Peter Rathjen’s term” at UTAS.

UTAS has appointed Melbourne-based barrister Maree Norton, who has experience dealing with similar matters, to serve as an independent counsel, Prof Black said.

“She will be point-of-contact for anyone with experiences to share who is not comfortable talking with the university directly including people who may have previously reported their experiences and not been satisfied with the university’s response,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of UTAS Professor Rufus Black. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Maree will also provide independent advice to the university on measures it should take in light of any complaints and make recommendations on appropriate actions to prevent any future similar events.

“Her work will include reviewing how UTAS stands in relation to the eight recommendations the ICAC made for the sound management of these situations and other actions the University should put in place immediately and for the future.”

Australian Lawyers Alliance National Criminal Justice Spokesman Greg Barns SC said he was “concerned about the fairness and robustness of such an inquiry”.

Australian Lawyers Alliance National Criminal Justice Spokesman Greg Barns SC. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“While we do not have concerns about a broad inquiry looking at mechanisms for complaints against university staff we are concerned about the unfairness inherent in an internal inquiry which is targeted at one person – in this case Prof Rathjen,” Mr Barns said.

“Persons who are the targets of inquires cannot examine the veracity of witnesses making serious allegations; if they exercise their right to silence adverse findings can be made against them, and the burden of proving the allegation is lower than in a court.

“Internal inquiries do not have the protections of a court or of independent investigating bodies such as, for example, Equal Opportunity Tasmania.”