The troubled Australian National University has secured a highly regarded public servant to guide it through a major crisis of governance.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

Economist Dr Gordon de Brouwer assumes the role of chancellor this week. He brings invaluable experience to the university council, having served as the Australian Public Service Commissioner and holding senior roles at Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Holding a doctorate in economics, Dr de Brouwer has the skills to stem severe financial losses and his appointment warrants optimism. That said, the staggering scale of the task ahead cannot be overstated.

The ANU has suffered serious reputational, institutional, and fiscal damage over the past decade. It is battered and bruised.

The Auditor-General recently condemned chaotic cost-cutting measures and sudden departures at the highest levels of administration. The field audit noted the university spent $35.9 million to cut salary costs by $74.8 million, an approach it determined was executed without sufficient understanding of the problem or the implementation risks.

In her response before resigning, former chancellor Julie Bishop argued the $250 million savings plan materially improved the financial position, although the audit found it lacked clear evidence.

This dysfunction culminated in a $424,227 termination payout to the former vice-chancellor, who quit after less than two years.

While Dr de Brouwer arrives without the political........

© Canberra Times