Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has congratulated veteran public servant Gordon de Brouwer on replacing her as the Australian National University’s Chancellor, three months after she quit the role after a tumultuous tenure.
The ANU on Monday confirmed the recent Public Service Commissioner would take over the part-time and largely ceremonial role following his retirement from government earlier this year.
In a statement it confirmed Dr de Brouwer would become the ANU’s 14th Chancellor, “bringing more than four decades of experience in public policy, governance, institutional leadership and reform to the role”.
“Dr de Brouwer is a distinguished public sector leader, economist and ANU alumnus who has held senior leadership positions across the Australian Government, including as Australian Public Service Commissioner and Secretary for Public Sector Reform.”
Earlier in the day the Nightly had foreshadowed Dr de Brouwer’s appointment after ANU sources revealed the announcement had been scheduled to be made over the weekend as the prestigious Canberra institution celebrated its eightieth birthday.
In May Ms Bishop resigned as ANU chancellor following a controversial term that was due to end in December and hit out at “unprecedented and coordinated interference” by the tertiary education regulator.
Her tenure at the prestigious national institution has been marked by upheaval, including an aborted $250 million cost-cutting plan involving massive job losses, which ultimately led to Genivieve Bell’s resignation last year as Vice Chancellor.
Both women had faced sustained criticism from staff and students for their handling of the restructure, with Ms Bell resigning in September and interim Vice Chancellor Rebekah Brown announcing the push for forced redundancies would be abandoned.
Ms Bishop has congratulated the former APS commissioner on his appointment, telling The Nightly he was well suited to take over the important position.
“I congratulate him and wish him well as he steps into this role important role as 14th Chancellor, bringing together a new leadership team and Council,” she said.
Acting University Pro-Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe AO said Dr de Brouwer would bring an “exceptional combination of governance experience, national leadership and deep knowledge of ANU” to the role.
“Dr de Brouwer has the experience, judgement and integrity that ANU needs as we look to the future with confidence.
“He has an outstanding understanding of public institutions, governance and transformation, as well as a deep personal connection to ANU and its mission.
“Dr de Brouwer knows ANU well, understands its importance to Canberra, Australia, and the world, and has a deep commitment to our students, staff and academic community.”
He previously studied at ANU and worked as Professor of Economics in the Crawford School of Public Policy from January 2000 to March 2004 and remains an adjunct professor.
During his period as APS Commissioner Mr de Brouwer oversaw the Robodebt-related integrity and conduct processes and earned praise from the Albanese government for his “exceptional leadership and dedicated service”.
In 2013 he was appointed Secretary for the Department of Environment after working in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The former APS Commissioner will begin as 14th Chancellor of ANU later this week and said he was excited to return to the institution.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed Chancellor of the Australian National University and to have the opportunity to serve a university to which I have such a strong personal and professional connection,” Dr de Brouwer said.
“ANU has an 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.”
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