ANU approved $250m cost-cutting plan without clear evidence, audit finds
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) found that Australian National University (ANU) leadership approved its A$250 million cost-cutting program without a clear analysis of the problem it was solving or the risks involved. The vice-chancellor said the process will be reviewed.
ABC News AustraliaAn Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report published today found that Australian National University's (ANU) approval framework for its 2024 A$250 million cost-cutting program lacked adequate supporting analysis. The report wrote: 'Management granted approval without sufficiently defining the underlying problem it sought to solve.'
ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell said: 'We accept the findings seriously; we will review the process with the support of external experts.' Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said: 'The standard of accountability for universities in their use of public funds must be high.' By contrast, Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said: 'Universities are under cyclical financial pressure; isolating individual structural decisions overlooks the sector-wide context.'
NTEU (National Tertiary Education Union) President Alison Barnes said: 'This report shows the decision to cut 600 jobs cannot be justified.' The relevant Australian Senate committee will discuss the report next month. Further comment from the federal government is expected. Procedural framing only.
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