The Australian National University has announced it will end all involuntary redundancies under its cost-cutting Renew ANU program.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell said the ANU had “turned a corner in [its] difficult – and, yes, painful – journey to reach long-term financial sustainability”.
The Renew ANU program was introduced to save $250 million after the university revealed it was losing $2 million a week. Controversially, it proposed cutting 100 jobs.
The ANU will reduce salary costs through voluntary separations, recruitment controls, and attrition, Professor Bell said.
“Many in our community will be relieved to have more certainty about these painful decisions, and to see some light at the end of the tunnel,” Professor Bell said. “Qualified, because I know we still have a lot of work to do, and because there is still hurt and distress across the campus about the changes we need to make…”
The ACT Greens welcomed the announcement, but said the ANU must go further. Education spokesperson Laura Nuttall MLA said many staff would “finally have some semblance of the job security they deserved”, but described the process as “callous” and called for proposed redundancies to be paused until federal regulator TEQSA’s investigation into university governance is complete.
The Greens also called for ANU to stop the merger of the School of Music with the School of Art and Design and the Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies into a new School of Creative and Cultural Practices, and the abolition of arts and social sciences degrees; to reverse the Renew ANU changes; to release the university’s self-assurance report; for its leadership to step down; and for the Commonwealth to provide more funding.
Greens allege breach of election caretaker rules
The ACT Greens have called for fresh hearings in the parliamentary inquiry into Caretaker Conventions, citing Freedom of Information documents that they say show multiple breaches before and after the 2024 ACT election.
During the lead-up to elections, caretaker conventions ensure government services continue while keeping politicians at arm’s length from the public service. The rules are not legally binding, but are intended to prevent incumbents from gaining advantage and to reinforce the ACT Public Service’s political neutrality “by avoiding the use of Territory resources in a manner that advantages a particular party”.
Greens democracy spokesperson Andrew Braddock MLA claimed Labor candidates used government resources and ACT Public Service support for campaign events, undermining the impartiality of the service.
For instance, Mr Braddock alleged, Labor candidates posed for social media pictures at EPIC’s Fitzroy Pavilion seven weeks before its official reopening, and public servants prepared a briefing pack for Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA’s attendance at a restaurant opening less than two days before polling day.
Mr Braddock said the incidents highlighted complacency after Labor’s long period in office, and that stronger protections were needed to maintain the independence of the ACT Public Service.
A government spokesperson said caretaker guidelines allow political candidates to use government premises as backdrops for campaign material, provided normal operations are not disrupted or official resources used.
“The imputation from the Greens is that the ACT Public Service have failed in their responsibilities under the Caretaker Conventions, which is disappointing,” the spokesperson said.
Access to EPIC for a walk-through and photographs was “in line with caretaker conventions”, as Assembly updates and a June 2024 media release had already publicised the pavilion’s near-completion.
“Any political candidate could have sought access to the site during this period under the caretaker conventions.”
The spokesperson said Mr Barr had been invited to the Carlotta opening in his official capacity, and was entitled under caretaker conventions to receive factual information, such as event arrangements.
The Legislative Assembly has already established an inquiry into caretaker conventions, where ACT public servants have given evidence.
Molonglo emergency services station due 2026
The Molonglo Emergency Services Station is on schedule to be completed by mid-2026, the ACT Government announced today.
The $65 million facility on Cotter Road will house ACT Fire & Rescue and ACT Ambulance Service, and is intended to be the largest of its kind in the ACT. It will serve Woden Valley, Weston Creek, and the Molonglo Valley, whose population is expected to reach 70,000 people by 2050.
The station will include an all-terrain ambulance for remote access and a firefighting appliance designed to protect buildings and infrastructure during bush and grass fires.
“The Government is committed to providing our hard-working emergency services personnel with modern, purpose-built facilities so they can be there for the community when they need it,” Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, minister for police, fire and emergency services, said.
Master Builders ACT celebrates centenary
Master Builders ACT celebrated its 100th anniversary this week, marking a century since its foundation on 18 August 1925.
The association was formed when 10 builders met at what is now the Hyatt Hotel.
At the time, president Frank Porreca said, Canberra was “a blank canvas” and “a city in its infancy”, with a population of only 3,500 residents and a few buildings — Old Canberra House, a hospital, a school, the Yarralumla Brickworks, Kingston Powerhouse — in a landscape dominated by Black Mountain and untouched land.
“The legacy of Master Builders ACT is woven into the very fabric of Canberra,” Mr Porreca said. “Without Master Builders, there would be no capital.”
Record investment in the UC Capitals
The ACT Government will provide a record $1.7 million dollars to the UC Capitals over the next four years to support the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) team.
The $400,000 annual investment is the largest the government has made in the Capitals and will help the club meet new WNBL minimum standards, including increased player wages.
“We want our young athletes to see a future in professional sport and know that their community is behind them as they chase that dream,” sports minister Yvette Berry MLA said. “Our funding will support the very exciting growth in the game, and ensure our elite teams are funded appropriately so that players can look to have full time employment through basketball.”
General manager Christy Collier-Hill said: “This deal means that we can invest more into building the Caps as a model of what a professional sports franchise should look like in Australia and give our players the relevant support they need as pro athletes.”
The government also launched a $50,000 program to develop female coaches and officials in local sport.
Applications for funding to to deliver accredited training and leadership opportunities are open. For more information about the Women’s Coaching and Officiating Support Program, visit www.sport.act.gov.au or contact [email protected].
