alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes
@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
95 followers 160 following 23 posts
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 11d
Wish I could talk about the teaching and research achievements of our members but nonetheless was great to join former colleague Sue Wright, debunking the excuses of the vice-chancellors’ lobby group for management’s bad decisions www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Academics dispute state of finances at leading Sydney university - ABC listen
Almost one in every two Australian universities has been restructured in the past year, and there is more to come. Thousands of jobs have been cut, and thousands more are in the firing line. At the ...
www.abc.net.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
lachlanclohesy.bsky.social
Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 19d
It has taken time to get university governance on the public radar.

Our sector has experienced casualisation, wage theft, & mass job cuts.

@nteunion.bsky.social, especially @alisonbarnes.bsky.social, have been great at going after the root cause - the leadership & governance crisis in higher ed.
nteunion.bsky.social
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 19d
Hundreds of submissions, thousands of petition signatures & years of campaigning = a Senate committee backing the reforms we’ve fought for to fix uni governance.
This is a huge step forward, won by staff speaking out.
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 11d
Much attention has been on ANU but the governance crisis is broad and deep across the sector. Close scrutiny needs to be applied *everywhere*. This is shameful from UTS management.
squigglyrick.bsky.social
Rick Morton @squigglyrick.bsky.social · 11d
University of Technology Sydney ordered a spreadsheet from KPMG targeting individual academics by research income, which might contravene the bargaining agreement. They repeatedly denied it even existed for several info requests. But that wasn't true. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Exclusive: University sought secret KPMG staff spreadsheet
The University of Technology Sydney denied the existence of a KPMG spreadsheet ranking the research performance of academics, in breach of its EBA, until it was forced to release it.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 19d
The Senate inquiry’s interim recommendations are a massive win for @NTEUnion members’ campaign for governance reform. Transparency, caps on VC pay, stronger staff/student voices & tougher TEQSA powers – all welcome steps. There’s more to fight for!
nteunion.bsky.social
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 19d
Hundreds of submissions, thousands of petition signatures & years of campaigning = a Senate committee backing the reforms we’ve fought for to fix uni governance.
This is a huge step forward, won by staff speaking out.
alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 21d
This devastating plan is a disaster for the community and represents a
direct attack on the core mission of UTS. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
UTS’s teacher education program set to close as university reveals plan to slash more than 1,000 subjects
Of the 1,101 subjects to be discontinued, 463 had no student enrolments and weren’t taught in 2024, according to University of Technology Sydney’s proposal
www.theguardian.com
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 21d
Go Barnsey 🎸🎸🎸 www.afr.com/work-and-car...
Don’t stop the music: Jimmy Barnes signs on to save ANU school
A group of 35 musicians have called on the ANU to halt proposed changes to the School of Music saying it will rob musicians of future professional careers.
www.afr.com
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
picketer.bsky.social
Tim Lyons @picketer.bsky.social · 27d
Bishop needs to go as well. There is no sensible governance arrangement where she gets to lead appointing a new VC. A new Chancellor / Chair and then a deep breath followed by a proper process to appoint a new VC / CEO needed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
ANU vice-chancellor resigns after months of controversy
Genevieve Bell has bowed to intense pressure and resigned from her position as Australian National University vice-chancellor.
www.abc.net.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteuact.bsky.social
NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 26d
"A completely broken governance system has allowed unaccountable executives to cause enormous damage to staff, students and communities" - Alison Barnes, NTEU National President @alisonbarnes.bsky.social @nteunion.bsky.social #ANU
region.com.au/genevieve-be...
Genevieve Bell resigns as ANU Vice-Chancellor, no word on the future of Renew ANU | Region Canberra
UPDATE 11:35 am: The ANU has now independently confirmed Professor Genevieve Bell has stepped down as Vice-Chancellor and President of…
region.com.au
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 26d
Extraordinary for uni bosses to suggest they have no control over the bottom line. Yes, the government needs to scrap Jobs Ready Graduates and replace it. But vice-chancellors must own $734m on consultants in a single year and the executive pay explosion! www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
University staff 'disheartened and demoralised' as thousands sacked
With the university sector in crisis, thousands face losing their jobs as unions blame poor management and students say they've lost hope.
www.abc.net.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
lachlanclohesy.bsky.social
Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 27d
In the last two years, ANU leadership has taken an approach of moving fast and breaking things.

Unfortunately, too many of those things were people.

Very proud of @nteunion.bsky.social members at #ANU. Now to lock in no forced redundancies. ✊
nteuact.bsky.social
NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 27d
More details, including @nteunion.bsky.social statement, to follow.

Join the union today at www.nteu.au/join.
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 28d
With @NTEUnion members at Victorian Parliament to speak with government MPs about the university governance crisis and the need for reform. Thanks to everyone who shared their horror stories with the MPs including Deputy Premier and Education Minister @BenCarrollMP.
Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteunion.bsky.social
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · Sep 8
Vice chancellors' decision to cut jobs while defending their excessive pay further erodes our public institutions and undermines trust in university governance.

Let's stand together for better universities 👉 betterunis.nteu.au

📰Read in full here: www.news.com.au/national/nsw...
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
ouranu.bsky.social
Our ANU @ouranu.bsky.social · Sep 8
“Replacing the ANU vice chancellor is a necessary first step… But it is not a sufficient step…

If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.”

www.afr.com/work-and-car...
Why ANU boss Genevieve Bell must go
Replacing the Australian National University vice chancellor is a necessary first step to rebuilding the reputation of the ANU and restoring its legitimacy.
www.afr.com
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · Sep 8
At today’s Senate inquiry hearing, VCs spent more time complaining about “compliance costs” than showing contrition for the governance crisis. They want to sack hundreds of staff, hiding behind false narratives instead of owning their disastrous workforce planning. www.news.com.au/national/nsw...
www.news.com.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteunion.bsky.social
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · Sep 8
🎙️LIVE NOW🎙️

Hear from VCs in Sydney at the Senate Inquiry into university governance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfKv...
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
vanbadham.bsky.social
Van Badham @vanbadham.bsky.social · Sep 5
Australian universities are a shit show and university managements who listen to corporate consultancy grifters are to blame. My latest in the @theguardian.com.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To Australia’s university fat cats, who may yet face job cuts not of their own making – don’t forget to wash your underwear …
It’s been decades since parasitic consultancies began advising our tertiary institutions, at exorbitant cost
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
joneshowdareyou.bsky.social
Jenny Frecklington-Jones #IStandWithWatermelon🍉🍉 @joneshowdareyou.bsky.social · Sep 5
“If the most prestigious university in Australia will not fund our most prestigious literary journal, then it makes you question whether or not universities actually care about Australian culture.”
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/09...
Australian writers shocked and ‘disgusted’ by closure of 85-year-old literary journal Meanjin
After 85 years of continuous publication, Meanjin, Australia’s second-oldest literary journal, is closing.
johnmenadue.com
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteuact.bsky.social
NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · Sep 5
Meanwhile, keep up the pressure for change by signing our petition.
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/pe...
Petition to ANU Council
In support of our petition, we observe that:  • ANU Council has the entire control and management of the University and is required to act in all matters concerning the ANU in the way it thinks w...
www.megaphone.org.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteuact.bsky.social
NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · Sep 5
We'll be ready to work with interim leadership from Day 1 to end Renew ANU and stop *all* forced redundancies.

This is only possible with new leadership.

@nteunion.bsky.social - and everyone else - knows that the farce at #ANU has gone on for far too long.
Exclusive: Inside the Australian National University’s leadership crisis
Amid mounting scandals and a loss of confidence in her management, the Australian National University vice-chancellor is negotiating an exit from her role.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · Sep 5
Vice-chancellors will face the Senate inquiry into university governance on Monday. They have very serious questions to answer about shocking governance failures on their watch. So far we've seen no meaningful action from VCs to fix governance. Reform is urgent.
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alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · Sep 4
💰💰💰https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/university-boss-got-a-240k-pay-rise-over-three-years-20250902-p5mrth
University boss got a $240k pay rise over three years
He heads up one of the smallest universities in Australia but Professor Tyrone Carlin’s salary is nearly $1 million a year.
www.afr.com
Reposted by Alison Barnes
markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · Sep 4
Reckless Restructures

A workplace safety watchdog has intervened to pause a restructure at the University of Technology Sydney due to concerns about its psychosocial impact on staff.

With comments from @alisonbarnes.bsky.social from the @nteunion.bsky.social
Safety watchdog hits pause on 400 university job cuts
Plans to cut hundreds of university jobs have been paused by a workplace safety regulator as concerns over...
www.canberratimes.com.au
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
ahsjournal.bsky.social
Australian Historical Studies @ahsjournal.bsky.social · Aug 26
Michelle Arrow, Anna Clark and Frank Bongiorno’s co-authored piece in The Conversation. @michellearrow.bsky.social @frankbongiorno.bsky.social @ouranu.bsky.social @utsengage.bsky.social #MacquarieUniversity
aunz.theconversation.com
The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · Aug 25
Last week in Sydney, we saw a melodrama acted out that could stand in for the state of Australian universities more generally.
Universities have lost their way, but cost-cutting and consultants are not the answer
theconversation.com
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
nteunion.bsky.social
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · Sep 3
What a historic win! SafeWork NSW has stepped in to force UTS management to pause job cuts.

This would not be possible without NTEU members at UTS standing together to voice and expose the serious and damaging psychosocial impacts on staff wellbeing.

Article 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
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