Julie Bishop was adamant she wasn't going anywhere — until she did

Julie Bishop was the university's 13th chancellor and had held the role since 2020. (ABC News: Phil Jaiyawong) Link copiedShareShare articleJulie Bishop, as so often has been her way, was resolute. When the vice-chancellor she served alongside at the Australian National University (ANU) resigned in September last year, then-chancellor Bishop was unequivocal — she wasn't going anywhere. "There are no grounds for me to stand aside," she told a packed media conference at the time. "I have the backing of council, and I intend to see it through." December 31 was the date when Ms Bishop was due to finish her term, so the obvious question is why — having repeatedly stated she would see her commitment through — did she leave months earlier? And did she jump, or was she pushed? Julie Bishop was due to finish her term as the chancellor of the Australian National Univerity on December 31 this year. (ABC News: David Sciasci) For her part, in a public statement announcing her resignation, Ms Bishop said that she continued to "regard the ANU as a truly national treasure". She also noted concerns with university governance across the country, saying the higher education sector was "at a crossroads of regulatory overreach in the governance of our institutions or autonomy and academic freedom". Do you know more? Contact Adam Shirley on encrypted email. Please note end-to-end encryption is only possible with your own encrypted email system like Protonmail. A high-profile office holder will always have staunch supporters, opponents, and many others in between. But some clues as to why further upheaval has beset an already teetering institution are staring students, staff and the taxpaying public right in the face. Julie Bishop oversaw the ANU during a tumultuous period. (ABC News: Matt Roberts) There are currently six (count them) investigations involving the ANU — if you include the implementation phase of the review into alleged "wildly inappropriate behaviour" at the College of Health and Medicine. One of those investigations has just been completed — an independent review about former Australian National University council members, which found five adverse findings against them. A draft report into the reasoning and management of the now-aborted $250 million savings plan called 'Renew ANU' has also found the cost-cutting was approved without clear evidence it was needed or achievable. And a highly anticipated release is the university regulator, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), inquiry into the ANU Council's decisions, leadership and internal culture, which some, including ACT independent senator David Pocock, want released as soon as practically possible. ACT Senator David Pocock is among those calling for the TEQSA inquiry to be released as soon as possible. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson) All the investigations are assessing various forms of alleged poor conduct at an institution that is supposed to be revered worldwide. The alleged behaviours range from bullying, harassment, mistreatment, governance issues, financial mismanagement to possible freedom of information breaches by the ANU. These reviews have all occurred during Ms Bishop's six-year tenure as chancellor. While it's premature to conclude there is any direct link between these facts, the pressure on Ms Bishop as the institution's figurehead during this time — and the associated reputational damage to the ANU — is significant. Beyond reputations, though, the real-world collateral hits hardest. Whether it is students missing out on courses they were dedicated to, staff being dismissed or left in the lurch about their futures, or allegations of significant trauma meted out to people within the ANU's wall, lives have been harmed and livelihoods have been permanently scarred. This may not be the end of the resignations from senior ranks of the ANU. Some are calling on appointed members of the ANU Council to seriously consider whether they should follow Ms Bishop's lead and head for the exits. Until a replacement chancellor is found, the man warming the seat is current pro-chancellor Dr Larry Marshall — himself no stranger to controversy and staff disquiet during his years leading the CSIRO. But amid the turbulence at the ANU, staff and students still profess a genuine love for a place where they learn, work and strive to do their best. They will be hoping that these painful public losses will lead to more harmonious and productive days ahead.

Julie Bishop was adamant she wasn't going anywhere — until she did

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Julie Bishop was adamant she wasn't going anywhere — until she did

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