The Australian National University (ANU) has announced it will no longer pursue compulsory job cuts as part of its embattled restructure, but chancellor Julie Bishop will remain in her leadership role. Interim vice-chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown made the announcement during an all-staff town hall on Thursday, becoming visibly emotional as she confirmed that involuntary redundancies would cease.
Brown stated that a higher-than-expected uptake of voluntary redundancies had saved approximately 100 jobs that were previously under threat. At least 399 redundancies have taken place since the restructure began 12 months ago. The university still plans to realign colleges flagged for restructure and remain cautious about spending.
The decision comes a week after Professor Genevieve Bell resigned as vice-chancellor amid allegations of a toxic work culture and widespread cuts. Brown acknowledged the harm caused by the restructure, saying management would “be better going forward” and improve communication. However, she declined to call for Bishop’s resignation, stating it was not her “prerogative” to ask a chancellor to step down. Bishop has insisted there are “no grounds” for her to stand aside.
On a positive note, Brown revealed that an anonymous donor had provided a philanthropic gift to keep the Australian National Dictionary Centre open for two years after it was flagged for closure. The university has also identified funds for the Australian Dictionary of Biography. However, the fate of the ANU School of Music, the Centre for European Studies, and the Humanities Research Centre remains uncertain. Musician Jimmy Barnes was among dozens who signed an open letter urging the university to save the music school.
The grassroots group No Cuts at ANU criticised the announcement, arguing it did not address the “root of the anger” over existing cuts. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) praised Brown for “reading the room accurately” but warned that the restructure had “broken the university” and damaged staff morale.
