APU is invited to give evidence to the parliamentary Inquiry into enhancing Victorian university governance

Academics for Public Universities have submitted to the Victorian Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s Inquiry into enhancing Victorian university governance a detailed analysis of governance issues in Victorian universities, along with a comprehensive set of recommendations to restore their core mission: serving public good through research and education. You can read our submission here.

Academics for Public Universities (APU) has highlighted a concerning shift in how our universities are run. Once collegial institutions focused on academic freedom and public service, Victorian universities have increasingly adopted corporatised models, where power is concentrated in the hands of senior executives and corporate-aligned boards. This so-called “closed governance circuit”, APU argues, prioritises financial performance and reputational management over the core missions of universities: teaching, research, and serving the public interest.

The Problem: Governance for Profit, Not People

The submission paints a picture of universities where decision-making is increasingly top-down, with little meaningful input from the academic community or the public. This model, APU contends, risks eroding academic freedom, compromising teaching quality, and undermining the public good that universities are meant to uphold. Instead of institutions driven by scholarly values, universities are behaving more like corporations, where efficiency and branding take precedence over education and research.

The Solution: Democratic Reform and Accountability

In response to the inquiry’s eight governance principles, APU’s submission puts forward a series of bold legislative recommendations to reform the University Acts. Their proposals aim to restore democratic oversight and academic stewardship, ensuring universities remain accountable to the public and Parliament. Key detailed recommendations include:

Mandating elected representation for staff and students on university governing bodies.

Imposing stricter limits on the authority of senior executives.

Increasing transparency around the use of consultancies and executive remuneration.

A Call to Action: Restoring the Public Mission of Universities

APU’s submission is more than a critique—it’s a blueprint for change. By rebalancing power within universities, APU argues, we can reclaim their original purpose: institutions that serve the public through education, research, and intellectual leadership. The submission urges policymakers, academics, and the community to rethink how universities are governed—and to ensure they remain true to their mission of public service.

Based on our submission, APU has been invited to give evidence on May 14th. We will keep you updated on further developments here.