ICAC hears uni executive sacked the day he rejected colleague's pay rise

The ICAC inquiry has heard evidence about recruitment practices, governance appointments and conflicts of interest at UOW. (ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss) Former UOW deputy vice-chancellor Sean Brawley told ICAC a higher salary package he refused to approve was later signed off on the day he was dismissed. The inquiry also heard evidence about recruitment practices, governance appointments and concerns raised in a cultural review. The inquiry continues and will hear from John Dewar and Michael Still later this week. Link copiedShareShare articleA former University of Wollongong (UOW) deputy vice-chancellor says he "utterly" rejects allegations he ignored recruitment concerns within the university's governance division. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating allegations former chief governance officer Alyssa White improperly influenced recruitment processes to benefit associates and friends. Sean Brawley served as UOW's deputy vice-chancellor (strategy and assurance) from 2022 until his role was abolished in October 2024. Returning to the witness box for a second day, Professor Brawley was questioned about his response to a 2024 cultural review that raised concerns about conflicts of interest and recruitment practices within the governance division. Sean Brawley denied claims he ignored concerns about recruitment practices within the university's governance division. (Supplied: NSW ICAC) The inquiry previously heard the review found Ms White may have breached university policies and recommended a further examination of several appointments. Ms White's barrister, Peter O'Brien SC, suggested the witness had effectively turned a "blind eye" to those concerns and should have done more to intervene. "I utterly reject that," Professor Brawley replied. He said he relied on advice from the university's people and culture division, which determined some of the review's recommendations not be pursued. Mr O'Brien suggested Professor Brawley's actions amounted to "poor leadership" that "went on to demonstrate to Ms White that, in attempting to better the governance section of the university, the ends justified the means in terms of recruitment". "I think that's a nonsense [that] I will leave others to make judgements on," Professor Brawley said. The inquiry is also investigating allegations Chancellor Michael Still and others improperly influenced consultancy contracts awarded to Aspirall Consulting, and failed to manage conflicts of interest involving interim deputy vice-chancellor John Dewar and the consulting firm KordaMenth, which Mr Dewar was a partner in. Michael Still steps down pending the outcome of a public inquiry examining recruitment, consultancy contracts and conflicts of interest at the University of Wollongong. During his evidence on Friday Professor Brawley criticised Mr Still for repeatedly crossing "the management line" between governance and operational management. The inquiry heard the chancellor controlled a discretionary fund worth $2 million. Professor Brawley said he had become concerned about the growing use of the discretionary fund, joking he had begun to think it was "the magic pudding" because it appeared to be funding governance positions. Sean Brawley told the ICAC inquiry a disputed salary increase for governance manager Stacey Oon was approved on the day he was dismissed. (Supplied: NSW ICAC) Months after Ms White's commencement in the role in October 2023, Professor Brawley said staff raised concerns about an "us and them" culture developing in regard to several of her appointments. He said those concerns were reported and triggered a cultural review, which found Ms White may have breached the university's code of conduct and policies relating to conflicts of interest, recruitment and selection processes. The review recommended a further examination of several appointments, but Professor Brawley told the inquiry his understanding was some of those recommendations were not pursued. Professor Brawley told ICAC he refused to approve a higher salary package for UOW's senior manager of executive governance, Stacy Oon, and that around that time he was "disestablished". He said he approved an initial package of about $200,000, but was later informed the offer had been increased to $225,000 following discussions involving Mr Still. When shown the documents for the first time, Professor Brawley told the inquiry the higher salary was ultimately approved by acting vice-president of operations, Matthew Wright, after the intervention of the chancellor. Professor Brawley reacted as he read an email he had not seen before detailing the decision, telling the hearing: "Matt approved it … on the day I was dismissed." "So I must have spoken to him that morning … and then later in the day was told my fate," Professor Brawley said. Under cross-examination on Friday Ms Oon said Ms White's recruitment decisions were motivated by "altruistic factors" and "the b

ICAC hears uni executive sacked the day he rejected colleague's pay rise

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