Union challenges Deakin restructure after vice-chancellor resignation

MORE than a week after Professor Iain Martin’s sudden resignation from Deakin University, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) says it still has no answers about why he left.

Martin, who was appointed vice-chancellor in 2019, resigned with immediate effect on 9 June, just days after the university announced a proposed restructure that the union says could result in 140 job losses across its Waterfront, Waurn Ponds and Burwood campuses.

The NTEU says Martin played a key role in developing the proposal and believes his departure calls the consultation process into question.

NTEU Deakin branch president Professor Reece Walters said the nature of Martin’s exit had come as a shock to staff.

“I’ve been in the sector for 35 years and I know people have been around longer, but not in living memory has a vice-chancellor unexpectedly, out of the blue resigned and left on the day,” Walters said.

“We don’t know why to this point in time.

“Many people thought it was a hoax.”

Martin has made no public comment since his resignation and his LinkedIn profile has been deleted, but he remains listed as Deakin’s vice-chancellor on the university’s website.

In a statement announcing his departure, chancellor Claire Higgins thanked Martin for his service but did not explain the reasons for his resignation.

“We will recognise Iain’s contribution more fully in due course. For now, I thank Iain and wish him well,” she said.

Consultation on proposed changes to student support, infrastructure and digital services began earlier this month, prompting an immediate backlash from the NTEU.

The union says the proposal came with no warning and has since launched an industrial dispute with university management.

Walters said the restructure should be withdrawn.

“This consultation process is going ahead with the co-architect and arguably the signatory, Iain Martin, our former VC, having left two business days after the whole bombshell was dropped,” he said.

“My view is his departure just delegitimises the entire process.

“We’re not opposed to change, but we want that change to occur with an evidence-justifiable proposal that we can engage with and discuss, debate and be consulted on.

“Once that happens, we’ll talk, but none of that has occurred at all.”

Walters said the proposal would affect a range of frontline staff, including disability officers, librarians, student support officers and IT technicians.

Deakin says the proposed changes would allow the university to focus its efforts and investment where they make the greatest difference to students while ensuring services remain sustainable.

“Like other universities across Australia, Deakin is responding to significant changes, including evolving student needs, rising expectations for support, and how education is delivered and supported,” a Deakin spokesperson said.

“These proposals aim to position Deakin to continue delivering high-quality, relevant, inclusive and trusted education, now and into the future, supported by sustainable services and systems.”