Julie Bishop has resigned as Chancellor of the Australian National University, seven months before her term was due to finish.
The former Liberal foreign minister’s departure follows months of criticism from staff, students, union representatives, and some politicians, who had questioned the university’s governance.
Ms Bishop’s term was marked by the controversial Renew ANU plan, which aimed to save $250 million in operating costs by 2026, including $100 million through salaries.
A secret draft Australian National Audit Office report found ANU Council approved the cost-cutting program without clear evidence it was needed or achievable, the ABC reported in March.
Renew ANU was expected to affect hundreds of jobs. By September 2025, 399 redundancies had taken place, The Guardian reported, while the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said the university had lost more than 1,000 staff since April 2024.
A Council spokesperson, however, said: “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 Council thanks the Hon. Julie Bishop for these contributions and wishes her well for the future.”
The Pro-Chancellor, Dr Larry Marshall, will act as Chancellor until a permanent appointment is made.
The university regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, recently became involved in the process to appoint ANU’s next Chancellor. Under a voluntary undertaking, a majority-independent selection panel will handle the appointment, rather than the 15-member governing Council.
Last weekend, The Saturday Paper revealed that the ANU was investigating how confidential encrypted messages about the push to remove former Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell were leaked, and that Ms Bishop had sought legal advice over an alleged attempt to block access to the messages.
Academics, students, union representatives, and federal politicians defended Interim Vice-Chancellor Rebekah Brown, amid concerns she was being blamed for wider failures of governance at the university.
Independent Senator David Pocock said today: “In stepping aside, the Chancellor is acting in the best interests of the ANU…
“When things go so terribly wrong at the helm of such an important institution, especially one governed by Commonwealth law, there must be accountability. A number of processes including a review by the higher education regulator, TEQSA, are yet to conclude and need to be allowed to run their course.
“The voluntary undertaking to conduct an independent process to appoint the next Chancellor is very welcome and will hopefully help rebuild trust, confidence and better governance at our national university.”
An ANU spokesperson said the Council was “committed to providing a new period of strong and positive governance and leadership.
“The ANU is one of Australia’s and the world’s great universities. It has a remarkable and proud history of the highest levels of teaching, research and innovation.
“The Council is committed to restoring the University’s reputation with our community.”
