NTEU Tasmanian Division

12/10/2026

In 2024, our state's Legislative Council declared UTAS as having deviated from its core purpose of education and public good in favour of commercial interests.

In 2025, the Vice-Chancellor, Rufus Black, took up an independent board position with the consulting firm Deloitte, which the NTEU continues to condemn.

Since that appointment, the University's financial investment in Deloitte shows no sign of slowing, with $2.87M paid to the firm as of August 2026. This includes three seemingly new contracts.

The deepening ties between our state's one university and this consultancy firm are detailed in new Right To Information documents, published in Robert Hogan's Oct 11 blog post. Well worth a read leading up to Wednesday's LegCo/UTAS public hearing.

https://theutaspapers.com/vc-blacks-deloitte-conflict-of-interest-worsens-new-rti-papers/

08/10/2026

The ABC asked our incoming State Secretary Dr Paige Kelly a few questions about UTAS finances for their story into the recent/upcoming Parliamentary Review into the 2025 UTAS results.

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

Congratulations Dr Ruth!

07/10/2026

"Our 2025 Annual Report shows that we remain on track to return to a long-term sustainable position that will enable us to meet current obligations and support future capital investment" - UTAS CFO

What about supporting staff and students through employment security, opportunities and wages that are competitive for the sector? Our University's obligations are not exclusive to conditions of Green Bonds and similar debt. There is a responsibility, which should be paramount, to operate for the purpose of p***c good and education.

Paddy Manning's article highlights both a priorities and finances issue. UTAS Senior Executives started investing in high risk property long before COVID. It has not paid off, and the cost has shown itself through redundancies and backwards wages.

The NTEU will continue to fight for people before properties.

The University of Tasmania's finances face twin problems of large debts and little revenue coming in, an economist who fronted a parliamentary inquiry says.

05/10/2026

Last year, one of the most Senior Executives departed the University of Tasmania under complicated circumstances.

The University's Annual Report then showed that, in 2025, this Senior Executive appeared to earn more than the VC - a result of a separation payout.

If this staff member received a resignation payout, then why do both UTAS Council meeting minutes and a footnote in the UTAS Annual Report describe a termination rather than a resignation? Did an Executive, second only to the VC, receive a $1.25M pay packet in 2025 despite being sacked?

In the lead up to the Short Inquiry into UTAS' Annual Report, you'd be fair in asking what is going on in our state's one university?

Robert Hogan's latest blog is linked below... and it's telling.
https://theutaspapers.com/rti-result-on-utas-2025-annual-report-raises-serious-issues/

04/10/2026

Earlier in the week, NTEU Tas attended the 2026 meeting for the NTEU's National Council. National Council is the NTEU's chief governing body and meets once a year to reshape our Union's policy and direction.

At Council, we presented Ruth, our outgoing Secretary, with lifetime membership to thank her for her dedication to empowering staff at UTAS and fighting the corporatisation of our University. We wish Ruth the happy retirement she truly deserves 💜

Excitingly, this Council we also elected new members to the NTEU National Executive (the body that takes care of national strategy in between Council meetings). For the first time, Tasmania will have TWO members on National Executive! A big congrats to Harko Werkman, who is now the freshly elected National Vice President for Professional/General Staff.

Tasmania will now have a stronger presence within the national decision making level. We're incredibly excited for 2027 (although, 2026 is not over yet!)

30/09/2026

This morning, NTEU Tas was at Parliament House, briefing select members of the Legislative Council as part of the Short Inquiry into UTAS' 2025 Annual Report.

We didn't just discuss what's in UTAS' latest annual report, but also what's missing, and we presented the Committee with a series of questions to put to UTAS Delegates on October 14.

In the meantime, if you're confused as to what sort of story UTAS' Annual Report really tells, Public Policy researcher John Lawrence has published a multi part blog series that covers credit ratings, Green Bonds and capital. It's well worth a read. http://tasfintalk.blogspot.com/

28/09/2026

Today, our Division Council and key bargainer, Annie, discussed the complete list of improvements that were fought for and won by NTEU members during the last ten months of enterprise bargaining.

Soon, we will taking the EBA to members to vote upon. If endorsed, it will then be time to educate and empower each other, and to enact our improved rights at the University of Tasmania 💜 💪

Join us today https://join.nteu.au/

27/09/2026

💜NTEU and UTAS reach an in principle agreement for the next EBA💜

2026 saw NTEU Tas members take unprecedented industrial action and fight back against attempts from Senior Execs to degrade UTAS working (and learning) conditions. The result? 17% super for casuals, an AI protections clause, a lifted wage increase + cash bonus, and more.

NTEU Tas members have driven not just better working conditions, but a better university for Tasmania.

The new EBA will need to be voted on by staff and a number of quality control processes will follow if endorsed. For now, we congratulate our members and thank our broader union network for the unwavering support.

There is power in a union and there always will be.