Bishop Steps Down as ANU Chancellor, Citing Concerns Over Government Overreach

Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has resigned as chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) following months of turmoil surrounding financial restructuring, workplace culture allegations and the departure of vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell.

Bishop’s resignation takes effect immediately, months before her term was due to end in December. She has held the position since January 2020.

In a statement, Bishop said she continued to regard the ANU as a “national treasure,” but pointed to concerns around overreach from government regulator—the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

The TEQSA does not run universities, but it does have the power to implement compliance measures and intervene if concerns are held.

In April, the TEQSA sought assurances over how ANU would appoint its next chancellor after Bishop’s term concludes.

“The higher education sector is at a crossroads of regulatory overreach in the governance of our institutions or autonomy and academic freedom,” she said, as quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“I fear the collateral from this regulatory overreach will be the next generation of students and staff.”

Bishop did not go into direct detail on where her concerns lay.

ANU’s leadership turmoil has been in part driven by the ‘Renew ANU’ restructuring program, launched under Bell, to put the university “on a financially stable footing.”

The overhaul led to staff cuts and proposed course and departmental changes, triggering backlash from academics and unions alike.

Bell eventually resigned following criticism of how the university was operating.

An ANU spokesperson said Pro-Chancellor Larry Marshall would take on the chancellor role until a permanent appointment is made.

“In her six years in the role and through her advocacy, the Hon. Julie Bishop has raised the university’s profile domestically and internationally and strengthened global connections, including during the COVID pandemic,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“The council thanks the Hon. Julie Bishop for these contributions and wishes her well for the future.”

The spokesperson also said the ANU would move towards a new period of “strong and positive” leadership.

Meanwhile, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) came out with strong criticism of Bishop’s tenure in the wake of the announcement, describing it as “disastrous.”

“ANU was the canary in the coalmine for the toxic governance crisis that infected our universities,” NTEU National President Alison Barnes said in a statement.

NTEU ANU Branch President Millan Pintos-Lopez said Bishop’s resignation marked an opportunity for the university to “turn the page” on the Renew ANU reform.

“Our members have been calling for accountability and change for the past 18 months, and this announcement will bring relief to many staff,” he said.