Unis face cuts as top brass rake it in

THE vice-chancellors and the top executives at Queensland’s three biggest universities take home a combined $12 million pay each year.

The three vice-chancellors are on almost double the Prime Minister’s wage of $522,000, while several of the top executives also take home more than the nation’s leader.

It follows the government’s announcement of university funding cuts of 2.5 per cent a year for two years and an increase in course fees for students of up to $3600. University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University are each set to lose about $15 million in funding.

Annual reports show UQ vice-chancellor Peter Hoj’s salary package is $1.16 million. Together with the six top management positions, it is a $4.5 million remuneration bill.

At QUT, vice-chancellor Peter Coaldrake is on $1.089 million while Griffith’s Ian O’Connor is on $1.02 million.