Update from the VC

Hi everyone,

Thank you to everyone who has made the time to engage with the various Renew ANU College and Portfolio townhall meetings and for your questions and input into the change process for our academic structure. Feedback on the academic structure change proposals closes this Friday. The change proposals and FAQs can be accessed via the Renew ANU website. 

The financial challenge we are facing is real and substantial.  As you heard last week, the ANU Council has directed us to reduce our recurring cost base by $250 million by the end of 2025.  The proposed academic restructure currently under consultation and the Expenditure Taskforce are two important measures being taken to improve our operational efficiency. We are also working hard to reduce the $163 million of accrued staff leave, a liability we must provide for.  Using leave each year is an important contribution that you can make that can save jobs.

We must take action. That is what we are doing, and everything needs to be on the table including all of our salaries.

It is deeply important to me to return this institution I have been around for much of my life to a financially sustainable footing matching the strength and quality of our education and research. This morning I informed the ANU Council I will be reducing my salary by 10 per cent effective immediately.  

I have also asked the University's senior leaders employed on Performance Based Employment Contracts (PBECs) to consider foregoing the 2.5 per cent salary increase due in December this year. This would save our University around $1.2 million.

As part of putting all options on the table, I will soon be asking you to consider forgoing the upcoming 2.5 per cent December pay increase under the ANU Enterprise Agreement (EA). If approved by a majority vote of our community, staff would still receive 16 per cent pay increase over the life of the current Enterprise Agreement. To be clear, I am only asking that staff forego the December 2024 pay increase, which would be the second automatic increase this year. 

This request would need to be agreed by the majority of ANU staff employed under the EA through a vote. I know that asking you to forego a salary increase you were expecting to receive is a significant decision, particular in the current broader economic context. But I encourage you to think about what this sacrifice could mean for our community. 

Foregoing the December 2024 increase, coupled with the PBEC staff also foregoing a 2.5 per cent pay rise, could reduce the salary savings we need to find in 2025 by as much as $15 million. This will save jobs. 

I know this is a big ask, but I hope it is a sacrifice you are prepared to make along with me and our University's leaders. I would be grateful if you take time to reflect on this decision. If we take it collectively, it will prevent some job losses in our community.

Genevieve

Vice-Chancellor and President