The Australian National University (ANU) has estimated that a series of high-profile scandals and governance failures during Julie Bishop's tenure as chancellor caused £100m in reputational damage. Interim Vice-Chancellor Rebekah Brown told a Senate estimates hearing on Friday that the financial loss was primarily due to the effect on the university's donor pipeline and international student recruitment.
Brown acknowledged it had been a challenging time for the university, stating: 'It is very significant, and we are still modelling the impact, the impact is still live.' The estimate was based on modelling from the end of last year.
The university has been plagued by scandals in recent years, including accusations of bullying against former chancellor Julie Bishop made at a Senate inquiry. Bishop has previously rejected 'each and every allegation' against her. The cost-cutting programme Renew ANU, which led to at least 399 redundancies, also sparked controversy and contributed to the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell in September.
Bishop resigned as chancellor in May, ahead of her term expiring at the end of the year. The university's council has seen five of its 15 members resign this year. The selection of Bishop's replacement has been largely taken out of the council's hands after intervention by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, with a majority independent panel to make a recommendation.
Acting Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe acknowledged the loss of confidence in the university, saying: 'Confidence in the governance of the ANU is seriously damaged in the last few years, staff and students have felt hurt, disillusioned and not valued, trust has been lost.'
On Thursday, the Australian National Audit Office released a scathing review of Renew ANU, finding it was approved without clear evidence it was needed, urgent or achievable. The report noted the programme cost more than £35m to implement and achieved annual savings of £74.8m, but warned of remaining risks. Independent Senator David Pocock called the report a 'tough read' and said it justified community outrage at the 'manufactured financial crisis'.
