NTEU media release: Macquarie University read riot act over failure to meet legislative requirements

Posted 29 May 2012 by Andrew Nette (NTEU National Office)

The NSW Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) has found ‘significant errors’ in a decision by Macquarie University management to withhold the final report of a review into support staff services.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) is concerned the report’s recommendations will lead to department restructure and job losses.

“Macquarie University management needs to release the report in question, come clean about any plans to cut jobs and identify the basis for them” said NTEU NSW Secretary, Genevieve Kelly.

“It is outrageous that a public institution is not releasing this information.”

“The Information Commissioner has confirmed our view on this – there is no public interest reason for the decision to keep this information secret.”

“Last year, Macquarie University management hired consulting firm Deloitte to conduct a review of support and administrative services at the University, with a view of achieving ‘cost… and structural improvement’.”

Recommendations in the final report have been kept secret from staff and the Union.

NTEU formally requested the report under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA Act), but were refused by management.

The matter was forwarded for review to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC).

The OIC response outlines a number of “significant errors” made by Macquarie University in their decision not to release the report, and provides detailed explanation of their failure to meet legislative requirements and obligations under the GIPA Act.

For Comment:

Genevieve Kelly, NTEU NSW Secretary 0424 465 839

Andrew Nette, NTEU Media Officer 0431 217 131

Tags: higher education, media release, macquarie • Related Blogs: NSW Division, Australian Catholic University, Charles Sturt University, Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, University of New South Wales, Southern Cross University, University of Sydney, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong

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