<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336933</docID> <postdate>2025-01-24 09:51:32</postdate> <headline>Push to rein in and probe ‘lawless’ university sector</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-273777" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/image-1.jpeg" alt="" width="881" height="587" /></p> <caption>University of Canberra... and the Australian National University have already announced plans to cut jobs and spending after projecting significant budget deficits.</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Kat Wong</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>University executives have been put on notice over wage theft, spending and conflict-of-interest concerns as the federal government attempts to launch a probe.</strong></p> <p>Labor senator Tony Sheldon is seeking the support of a senate committee to establish an inquiry into university governance after a spate of scandals within the sector.</p> <p>"University vice-chancellors have questions to answer," he said.</p> <p>"There's no other job in Australia where you can be paid so exorbitantly while performing so badly, with seemingly no consequences or accountability for the impact on university staff and students.</p> <p>"The Albanese government is taking swift action to rein in what is becoming a lawless sector."</p> <p>Thousands of staff across Australia's universities have been underpaid to the tune of almost $400 million while expenditure in other areas grows.</p> <p>Spending on external consultants exceeded $734 million in 2023 and more than 300 university executives were paid more than their state premier, while many vice-chancellors earned more than double the prime minister, a National Tertiary Education Union report found.</p> <p>Some university heads have reportedly supplemented their hefty salaries with second jobs in the private sector, sparking concerns over conflicts of interest.</p> <p>The federal government has already established an expert council on university governance to investigate similar issues but this inquiry could allow politicians to drag vice-chancellors and other key stakeholders into the public eye.</p> <p>"A strong, well-managed higher education sector is essential to the well-being of staff and students, our economy and national interest," Senator Sheldon said.</p> <p>Universities have warned the government's push to cut international student intakes will create funding shortfalls and force them to reduce their workforce and courses.</p> <p>The Australian National University and the University of Canberra have already announced plans to cut jobs and spending after projecting significant budget deficits.</p> </body>