The University of Wollongong's appointment of acting vice chancellor John Dewar and the subsequent hiring of KordaMentha, a consulting firm where Dewar was a partner, has sparked a three-week public inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The inquiry aims to determine whether a conflict of interest was adequately managed, particularly in light of Dewar's high salary and his role at KordaMentha.
The investigation centers on a request made by Alyssa White, the university's chief governance officer, to Stacy Oon, a subordinate. White asked Oon to "amend the timelines" to distance the processes surrounding Dewar's appointment and KordaMentha's hiring. Oon, who was later promoted to a $200,000 role, agreed to the request, but noted that an announcement had already been made to staff, making the amendment impossible.
Oon's testimony revealed a tense and incendiary atmosphere at the university, which had recently made significant cuts, including redundancies and course closures, to address financial issues. She explained that communication about Dewar's appointment was conducted via Gmail rather than work email accounts to avoid potential scrutiny and criticism.
The ICAC is also examining White's actions, including her alleged involvement in helping friends and associates secure jobs at the university on multiple occasions. Additionally, the commission is investigating whether White, Chancellor Michael Still, or other staff improperly awarded consulting work to Aspirall Consulting, a firm with connections to the university.
The inquiry has uncovered further evidence of potential misconduct, such as Brenden Hooke, a former University of Sydney staffer, deleting WhatsApp from his phone after an ICAC raid. Hooke denied deleting the app due to conversations with White and others, citing concerns about personal information and the legitimacy of the investigators' request.
This case highlights the complexities of managing conflicts of interest in academic institutions and the potential for personal and professional relationships to influence decision-making processes. As the inquiry continues, it will be crucial to uncover the full extent of the alleged misconduct and its implications for the university's governance and integrity.
