Ms O’CONNOR question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER
I am following up on some of the questions surrounding the University of Tasmania that have been asked today. Minister, you would be aware that the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, Rufus Black, has accepted a private position to sit on the board of Deloitte, one of the big four consultancies, for which he is being remunerated on top of his generous salary as the Vice-Chancellor of a public education institution. Have you explored that matter with the Vice-Chancellor? Have you raised any concerns with him? Do you think it’s appropriate that the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania is advising Deloitte instead of focusing on the work of restoring the reputation of the University of Tasmania?
ANSWER
Mr President, I will seek some advice.
I am advised the appointment was considered by the University Council, which is the appropriate place for such an appointment to be considered. I can also advise that there has been some work in this area federally, and federal recommendations have now been handed down on roles within university. We will certainly be considering those recommendations aside our own legislation.
Ms O’Connor – Perhaps you could answer the question about whether you’ve raised the matter with the Vice-Chancellor?
Ms PALMER – I have not directly raised the matter with the Vice-Chancellor. As I say, that appointment was considered through the University Council, which is the appropriate place for such matters to be considered.
