ANU replaces Julie Bishop as chancellor after long period of controversy

Adjunct Professor of Economics Gordon de Brouwer has been appointed as the next chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU).

Dr de Brouwer replaces Julie Bishop, who resigned in May following months of pressure to stand down by staff, students and some politicians.

A former academic within the ANU's Crawford School of Public Policy, Dr de Brouwer remains an adjunct professor at the university.

He has held senior leadership positions across the Australian government, including as the Australian Public Service Commissioner and Secretary for Public Sector Reform. 

He has also served as secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, associate secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and in senior roles at Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia. 

In announcing his appointment, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said it was a "full-circle" moment.

"Dr de Brouwer has made a significant contribution to Australia through his career in academia and the Australian Public Service, and brings a wealth of experience, respected leadership qualities and a deep commitment to public institutions to the role," she said in a statement.

"Dr de Brouwer's leadership and experience will be crucial in providing stability and confidence as the ANU moves forward."

A new chancellor amid continued investigation

Dr de Brouwer will be the ANU's 14th chancellor in its 80-year history when he takes up the role on August 19.

The announcement comes amid an investigation into the university's governance by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), and as the position of vice-chancellor remains vacant.

That position has been filled by interim VC Rebekah Brown since the resignation of Genevieve Bell in September following a controversial saga over the institution's $250 million savings plan, which included cutting jobs.

An Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report later found the ANU's then-leaders had no clear evidence that cuts were needed as part of its now-abandoned savings plan, titled Renew ANU.

On ABC Radio Canberra this morning, Acting Pro-Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe acknowledged the public's "loss of trust" and "loss of confidence" in the ANU, but said he was hopeful Dr de Brouwer would lead the institution well.

"We are determined to ensure that our leadership, our plan … the university's vision are all very much focused on our national mission, which is building a better Australia," he said.

"Gordon came through an extremely rigorous process to be named as chancellor, and we just think that he's got the combination of experience, of judgment and integrity that we need at ANU to take us forward."

ANU should be a 'leading voice'

In his first statement as chancellor, Dr de Brouwer said he was looking forward to helping ANU "build confidence in its future" and acknowledged the ANU's "extraordinary national mission". 

"It brings together outstanding students and staff, world-leading research and a responsibility to contribute to the major challenges facing Australia and the world," he said.

"I am committed to helping ANU build confidence in its future, with strong governance, a compelling shared strategy and a culture in which our people can do their best work."

He said the ANU should continue to be a "trusted national institution and a leading voice on the issues that will shape Australia's future".

"The university has an important role to play at a time of profound social, economic, technological and geopolitical change,"

he said.

"I look forward to being active and present across the university, listening to our students and staff and working with council, the interim vice-chancellor and the broader ANU community to ensure the university delivers on its national mission."

On Friday, the ANU released a new strategy, looking forward to 2030, and Professor Brown acknowledged the last few years had been "really difficult" for the university.

In releasing the strategy, a kind of brand statement for the institution, Professor Brown said student numbers remained too low and driving up enrolment was a key ambition.

Professor Brown added that the university's slower and more rigorous processes of researching and testing knowledge were vital to the nation, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.

She also did not rule out having ambitions to permanently take on the role of vice-chancellor.