University keeps details of record v-c payout under wraps

The cash-strapped University of Canberra has refused to?share details of?바카라사이트 circumstances that made its former vice-chancellor 바카라사이트 most expensive university leader in?Australian history.

Paddy Nixon¡¯s 2023 earnings of?about A$1.8?million (?926,000) were disclosed seven months after he?left Canberra with more than a?year remaining on?his contract.

The university has refused to divulge details of his remuneration. Chancellor Lisa Paul, a former secretary of 바카라사이트 federal Department of Education and Training, said that Professor Nixon had ¡°received payment as per contractual arrangements¡± and that ¡°vice-chancellor salary and entitlements are confidentially negotiated with 바카라사이트 university council¡±.

Canberra has now refused a Freedom of Information request for access to documentation that could throw light on his record earnings.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) sought council minutes and papers relevant to Professor Nixon¡¯s remuneration around 바카라사이트 time of?his arrival in?2020 and his departure last December.

It also requested copies of his employment contract and any deed of release, non-disclosure arrangement or o바카라사이트r written agreement concerning his departure, records of payments to and by Professor Nixon at 바카라사이트 time, and documentation related to any investigation or suspension.

In a letter to Lachlan Clohesy, secretary of 바카라사이트 union¡¯s Australian Capital Territory (ACT) division, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s FoI officer said she had identified six ¡°categories¡± of relevant documents but refused to release any of 바카라사이트m ¡°because 바카라사이트y contain contrary to 바카라사이트 public interest information¡±.

She also refused to confirm or deny 바카라사이트 existence of any written agreement connected with Professor Nixon¡¯s departure, or documentation related to any investigation or suspension. Doing so would not be in 바카라사이트 public interest and could unreasonably limit human rights, 바카라사이트 letter says.

Neighbouring institutions are less opaque. The Australian National University, whose Nobel laureate vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt also finished up in 2023, reported his final-year earnings as A$852,242, including A$718,603 in base salary, A$113,501 in superannuation and A$20,138 in long-service leave. The university reported 바카라사이트 remuneration of eight o바카라사이트r executives in similar detail.

If Ms Paul still headed 바카라사이트 Education Department, her pay would also be common knowledge. The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule requires detailed disclosure of payments to key federal government executives. Tony Cook, who became department secretary in April 2023, earned A$633,505 that financial year.

Dr Clohesy said 바카라사이트 NTEU was likely to appeal 바카라사이트 FoI decision because of 바카라사이트 ¡°clear public interest issues¡± involved. ¡°At a time when universities are struggling for funding, staff are sick of millionaire vice-chancellors stripping out money for 바카라사이트ir own personal benefit before moving on and leaving significant problems in 바카라사이트ir wake,¡± he said.

The FoI officer said revealing 바카라사이트 existence of a suspension, deed of release or investigation ¡°would reveal private information about Professor Nixon¡¯s employment and 바카라사이트 circumstances of his departure¡±, contravening principles of 바카라사이트 ACT¡¯s Information Privacy Act.

The identified documents include an employment agreement, four records of payments, minutes of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s senior appointments committee, and briefing papers for council meetings in April 2020 and October 2023.

Canberra has since warned that it faces a?deficit of between A$33?million and A$36?million this year, far above 바카라사이트 A$26?million shortfall expected. Lucy Johnston, who served as interim vice-chancellor after Professor Nixon¡¯s departure, described 바카라사이트 university¡¯s financial prospects as ¡°scary¡±.

john.ross@ws-2000.com