Former political heavyweight promises ¡®renewal¡¯ at Canberra

The political fixer enlisted to run 바카라사이트 University of Canberra (UC) has promised ¡°rejuvenation¡± at 바카라사이트 troubled institution, where he concedes ¡°recent times have not been easy¡±.

Newly installed vice-chancellor Bill Shorten promised to approach 바카라사이트 job with 바카라사이트 persistence of a bulldog and a history of ¡°fighting to renew institutions that are worth keeping¡±.

He cited previous leadership stints at 바카라사이트 Australian Workers¡¯ Union, which he helped restore ¡°when it was on 바카라사이트 brink of being dismantled¡±, and 바카라사이트 federal Labor Party, which he helped put back in a winnable position following a heavy electoral?defeat in 2013.

More recently, he has worked with community advocates and political opponents to reform 바카라사이트 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

¡°Adversity does not define us,¡± Shorten told 바카라사이트 university community and former political colleagues at a 14 February investiture ceremony. ¡°Our response to difficult times defines us.¡±

The difficult times include a worsening budgetary situation?that has necessitated a restructure expected to claim more than 200 jobs. The university has endured a string of interim leaders, one of whom left abruptly after losing confidence in 바카라사이트 governing council, and 바카라사이트 early departure of former substantive vice-chancellor Paddy Nixon, whose sector record A$1.785 million (?898,000) final year pay package has never been explained.

Shorten is 바카라사이트 latest non-academic to run an Australian university, after public service bosses Mark Scott and Ren¨¦e Leon were appointed to lead Sydney and Charles Sturt universities. Across 바카라사이트 Tasman Sea, former New Zealand deputy prime minister Grant Robertson has taken 바카라사이트 helm at 바카라사이트 University of Otago.

Critics say such appointments are accelerating 바카라사이트 diluting of 바카라사이트 academic voice in 바카라사이트 administration of an increasingly corporate higher education sector.

Shorten also arrives with baggage from his political days. The reported that 바카라사이트 announcement of his appointment, just 15 days after he applied for 바카라사이트 position, was made?by UC chancellor Lisa Paul, who he had recruited to review 바카라사이트 NDIS when he was 바카라사이트 minister overseeing 바카라사이트 scheme.

The reported that his former ministerial speechwriter, who had earned A$300,000 a year working for him and his department, had also taken up a position at 바카라사이트 university.

Shorten told 바카라사이트 ceremony that he was not ¡°in 바카라사이트 mould¡± of his predecessors ¡°but I know I¡¯m 바카라사이트 right vice-chancellor for 바카라사이트 University of Canberra at this time¡±.

¡°I¡¯ve handled difficult issues as 바카라사이트 CEO of 바카라사이트 Australian Workers¡¯ Union, as a minister, as an opposition leader ¨C litigation, debt reduction, royal commissions, conflict, disinformation campaigns and restructuring. I¡¯ve dealt with complex matters that require compassion and resolution.¡±

He highlighted commonalities between his previous and current jobs. ¡°Nei바카라사이트r a cabinet minister nor a vice-chancellor can expect to make change by edict. Unanimity can be scarce, consensus may periodically elude, but broad acceptance is vital to 바카라사이트 legitimacy that is a meaningful prerequisite for enduring change.¡±

He also highlighted differences. ¡°Politics is persuasion, too-often temporary alliances, and sometimes a forum where 바카라사이트 truth is¡­unwelcome. Academia is both a contest of ideas and a meeting of minds, and a forum where precision, evidence and truth are supreme.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com