ICAC warns of university corruption risk Nelson paper heads in the opposite direction
14 August 2002
The National Tertiary Education Union, representing 26,000 staff in tertiary education, has reacted with concern to the latest paper in the Federal Government’s review of higher education. The discussion paper contradicts the findings of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) report, released today, which identifies the need to ensure proper accountability of commercial activities in universities.
“It is concerning that on the same day that ICAC is warning of corruption risks in universities, Dr Nelson is releasing a discussion paper canvassing a reduction in accountability of university’s commercial ventures,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“The ICAC report, which is based on an extensive survey of over 250 public institutions, warns of a significant risk of corruption within universities. With universities struggling to fill the funding hole created by government cuts, it is not surprising that potential conflicts have been created”.
“It is essential to recognise that there can be conflict between the need to generate a buck and the academic quest for truth. Regulation that ignores this inherent conflict is inevitably flawed”.
“Meanwhile, Dr Nelson’s discussion paper is heading in the opposite direction. Rather than recognising the risk, Dr Nelson floats the idea of reducing accountability, potentially opening the floodgates to poor practice as universities desperately look to the corporate sector for funding”.
“Government funding cuts have left universities in a weak bargaining position in dealings with the corporate sector. Giving them carte blanche in this environment is a recipe for disaster”.
“Dr Nelson’s paper misses the point on governance. It restates the false dichotomy between expert and representative membership of governing bodies. Often expertise flows directly from representativeness”.
“Proposals to cut membership of governing councils are 15 years out of date. They have already been cut significantly, largely at the expense of community, student and staff perspectives. Further cuts would compromise the breadth of expertise available in university governance”.
“Dr Nelson’s paper ignores the difficult issues. For example, it does not address the concerning fact that only 19% of university staff believe that university managements are trustworthy, while almost half believe they are untrustworthy”.
For information and comment:
Dr Carolyn
Allport
National President
Mob: 0419 349 064
Andrew Nette
Policy and Research Co-ordinator
Tel: 03 9254 1910 Mob: 0438 026 277