Unions Demand Removal of ANU Vice Chancellor Genevieve Bell Amid Financial Crisis

The Australian National University (ANU) is embroiled in a leadership crisis as embattled Vice Chancellor Genevieve Bell faces growing calls for her removal. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has intensified pressure on Bell, warning of a no-confidence vote in her leadership if she remains in her position.

The NTEU ACT Secretary, Lachlan Clohesy, recently emailed members, urging the university to dismiss Bell. The email, seen by Capital Brief, confirmed plans for a no-confidence vote in February, which will be open to both union and non-union staff.

Bell has come under fire for retaining a paid role at technology giant Intel, despite earning over $1 million annually as ANU Vice Chancellor. This revelation, reported by The Australian Financial Review, has heightened scrutiny of her leadership during a period of financial instability at the university.

ANU is grappling with a severe financial crisis, attributed to years of mismanagement, including the tenure of Bell’s predecessor, Brian Schmidt. The university has announced plans to cut $100 million in staff expenditures annually, with estimates suggesting around 600 jobs are at risk. This has sparked outrage from the NTEU, further intensifying the standoff between university management and its workforce.

As the February deadline approaches, the ANU faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and stabilize its leadership amid ongoing financial challenges.