Public statement: Australia’s Public Universities and Public Accountability

The Australian Association of University Professors (AAUP) acknowledges the permission granted by the South Australian Ombudsman to disclose her letter (attached), which we believe warrants public attention and government action.

Our Council holds a strong view that an independent investigation into the merger of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide is necessary, given the significant involvement of private interests and the current lack of public scrutiny. We have chosen to publish the letter to inform the public about these issues.

We also note, however, that similar problems regarding the failure of Ombudsmen to investigate university matters have been reported in other states. In Tasmania, a recent inquiry by the Legislative Council Select Committee (handed down on 23 December last year) recommended that their Joint Standing Committee on Integrity investigate the performance of Tasmania’s Integrity Commission and their Ombudsman in relation to complaints regarding the University of Tasmania. In New South Wales, the Ombudsman’s handling of a university whistle-blower case has raised similar serious questions about that office’s willingness and effectiveness in relation to university matters.

The AAUP Council is troubled by these instances, which suggest a widespread pattern of inadequate investigation into potential wrong-doing in our public universities. It is imperative that the ombudsman’s office acts as mediator between citizens and government agencies, promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in public administration across Australia.

The failure properly to investigate significant issues can undermine the credibility of the ombudsman’s office, erode public trust, and diminish the legitimacy of its role in promoting accountability within government agencies, including our public universities. It can also impede individuals’ access to justice and remedies for grievances against government actions.

We believe that both State and Federal parliaments should consider strengthening relevant legislation to ensure that their ombudsman’s offices can operate independently and effectively in addressing all grievances concerning government agencies, including those related to our public universities. We believe this is essential to restore public confidence  in the work of our universities and ombudsman’s offices alike.

The Council of the Australian Association of University Professors (AAUP)

www.professoriate.org

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