Corruption watchdog launches probe into University of Wollongong

An anti-corruption watchdog is set to begin a public inquiry into Australia’s University of Wollongong amid concerns about the governance at the institution.

Senior figures including chancellor Michael Still and chief governance officer and secretary, Alyssa White, have been named as part of the investigation by the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption which gets under way on 22 June.

It will consider the awarding of contracts to two consultancy firms with alleged links to members of senior management as well as the recruitment processes used for governance roles.

Unions have long criticised consultancy spend at Wollongong, which amounted to A$14 million (£7.4 million) in 2023, up from A$9 million the previous year.

In 2024, the firm KordaMentha was engaged to undertake two reviews into the university’s financial sustainability.

Questions were raised when John Dewar, a partner at the firm, was appointed Wollongong’s interim vice-chancellor in June 2024 – a move unions called a “clear conflict of interest”.

Dewar has consistently denied such claims, insisting he took unpaid leave from KordaMentha while in charge of the university and had played no role in contracting the consultancy or overseeing its work.

This appointment will however form part of the ICAC inquiry. The commission will investigate whether Still, or any other member of Wollongong staff, “partially exercised their official functions by failing to manage the conflict of interest relating to the employment of John Dewar as interim Vice-Chancellor and the engagement of KordaMentha Pty Ltd”, a statement said.

Another area of focus for the inquiry will be whether White, or any other staff member, “intentionally subverted” recruitment process for governance roles “to benefit persons associated with Alyssa White”.

A third area concerns the awarding of work to a company called Aspirall Consulting International Pty Ltd.

Still has previously denied any personal relationship with the executives of this firm, saying they were engaged to carry out workshops with staff on the appointment of a new vice-chancellor because he had successfully worked with them previously.

In a statement, Wollongong said it noted the announcement of the inquiry.

“The university has been co-operating fully with the NSW ICAC throughout its investigation and while the university was prohibited from disclosing the investigation prior to today, we want to acknowledge the gravity of these allegations.

“The university understands the public interest in this matter, but will not be making any comment about the investigation while the hearings are underway.”

tom.williams@timeshighereducation.com