NTEU strongly condemns foreshadowed job cuts at the Australian National University. The University has just announced that Change Proposals to cut jobs will be introduced in 6 areas in June 2025. Change Proposals for a further 9 areas are being considered between July and September 2025.
ANU announced 'Renew ANU' on 3 October 2024. As part of that plan, ANU aimed to reduce staff expenditure by $100 million by 1 January 2026.
NTEU estimates show that target has substantially been met. ANU's staffing levels have reduced by 635 full-time equivalent positions since 31 March 2024. Based on these reductions, ANU will achieve a reduction of $112 million by 1 January 2026. ANU has not provided alternative costings on reductions so far, or indicative numbers of job losses.
More than 750 staff voted in early 2025 that they have no confidence in the leadership of the ANU Chancellor, Julie Bishop, or the ANU Vice-Chancellor, Genevieve Bell.
Quotes attributable to NTEU ACT Division Secretary Dr Lachlan Clohesy:
"The Vice-Chancellor is single-handedly destroying one of the world's great universities."
"ANU staff question how the Federal Education Minister can have any confidence in what is going on at our national university. ANU is in a crisis of poor leadership, financial mismanagement and poor governance. ANU is the only university governed by federal legislation."
"There is no financial rationale for cuts. ANU overestimated their 2024 deficit by $60 million and will end up cutting far more than their original target if these changes proceed. ANU staff are not convinced that ANU leadership – including the entire Executive – actually know what they're doing. We expect these plans to contain job cuts in the hundreds."
"If ANU leadership can't be relied upon to give truthful evidence to the Senate, then it becomes difficult for staff and their union to trust what we are being told."
Quotes attributable to NTEU ANU Branch President Millan Pintos-Lopez:
"It is no wonder ANU staff have no confidence in ANU leadership. Instead of trying to rebuild trust, the Vice-Chancellor will cause more pain for ANU staff."
"The cuts are cruel. ANU staff are suffering under the leadership of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. I worry about the future of the university, and what these cuts will mean for ANU staff and students."
"These changes started almost 8 months ago, and many staff are still no clearer on whether their jobs will be impacted. The areas listed for change cover almost the entire university."
