COMMONWEALTH Education Minister Christopher Pyne has released the Walker Review of the Australian National University Act 1991 and the governance arrangements of the Australian National University.

The Minister commissioned Emeritus Professor Sally Walker of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to review the Act and ensure the University’s governance arrangements continued to meet best practice.

“The review which commenced in September 2014, recognised the special role of the ANU as a leading research and education institution and as a valued resource for the nation,” Christopher said.

“The report found much of the governance of ANU to be exemplary, and made recommendations to enhance existing good governance arrangements.

“Recommendations focus on the roles and composition of the ANU Governing Council and many other aspects of the University’s corporate governance.

“Professor Walker’s recommendations provided a basis for modernised enabling legislation for the University (which would replace the ANU Act 1991), and would help make the ANU a standard bearer for governance in the sector.

Mr Pyne joined Chancellor Professor Gareth Evans in thanking Professor Walker, a former Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University for a thorough and sensitive review and strongly consultative approach. Professor Evans said the University looked forward to working closely with the Government as the matter went forward.

Professor Evans welcomed Professor Walker’s recommendations for both legislative and executive change, which the ANU Council had accepted with only minor qualifications.

“They will strengthen the University’s already robust governance arrangements and ensure ANU continues to meet its full potential as a great national and global university”, Gareth said.

Areas recommended for changes include:

• responsibility for the approval of courses
• Council Committees
• the Chair of the Academic Board
• improvements to arrangements regarding induction and professional development of Council members (Recommendations 16, 17 and 18) and the evaluation of Council’s effectiveness
• the relationship between Council, the Vice-Chancellor, management and the University generally
• meetings and meeting papers
• consultation with staff and students

[Photo by Stephen Dann, attribution licence]