UTAS DIGS INTO RATHJEN’S PAST
Uni launches investigation into ex-leader
A MELBOURNE-based barrister has been appointed by the University of Tasmania to determine any unreported or undetected issues during disgraced former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen’s term.
It was found by Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander that Prof Rathjen committed “serious misconduct” by groping two female staff during a work trip in 2019 while University of Adelaide vice-chancellor.
JAMES KITTO
He served at the SA university from 2018 until July this year after leading UTAS between 2011 and 2017.
In a letter to staff on Wednesday, UTAS vice-chancellor Rufus Black said he would be “open and transparent” about any findings into Prof Rathjen’s time at the university.
It follows a letter Prof Black sent staff last month which said no known evidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault involving Prof Rathjen during his UTAS tenure had been found.
But Prof Black on Wednesday said the university had now “initiated a review to determine if there are unreported or undetected issues arising from Peter Rathjen’s term” at UTAS. The university has appointed Melbourne-based barrister Maree Norton to serve as an independent counsel, Prof Black said. “She will be pointof-contact for anyone with experiences to share who is not comfortable talking with the university directly including people who may have previously reported their experiences and not been satisfied with the university’s response,” Prof Black said.
“Maree will also provide independent advice to the university on measures it should take in light of any complaints and make recommendations on appropriate actions to prevent any future similar events.
“Her work will include reviewing how UTAS stands in relation to the eight recommendations the ICAC made for the sound management of these situations and other actions the university should put in place immediately and for the future.”
Australian Lawyers Alliance National Criminal Justice spokesman Greg Barns SC said he was “concerned about the fairness and robustness of such an inquiry”.
“While we do not have concerns about a broad inquiry looking at mechanisms for complaints against university staff, we are concerned about the unfairness inherent in an internal inquiry which is targeted at one person – in this case Prof Rathjen,” Mr Barns said. “Internal inquiries do not have the protections of a court or of independent investigating bodies such as, for example, Equal Opportunity Tasmania.”