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Alison Barnes

@alisonbarnes.bsky.social
131 followers 171 following 30 posts
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Dr Alison Barnes, NTEU National President, is coming to universities in WA to speak about about the governance crisis. Register and join the discussions on how we can build better universities together: nteu.info/betteruniswa @alisonbarnes.bsky.social
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Very proud to be sharing the #StrongerTogether platform for our team in @nteunion.bsky.social national elections. @alisonbarnes.bsky.social, @sarahecroberts.bsky.social and I are committed to continuing to build power for and with NTEU members. ✊🧵
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Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
In between all the university crises, there's also an @nteunion.bsky.social election this year! Very proud to be standing alongside two fantastic NTEU women - @alisonbarnes.bsky.social & @sarahecroberts.bsky.social. Check out our website at strongertogether2026.com! ✊ #StrongerTogether
strongertogether2026.com
Stronger Together: Experience. Action. Results.
Building member power to win better pay, conditions and a stronger tertiary education system.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
We've got a big announcement on the future of @nteunion.bsky.social. 👀 In forthcoming elections, I'm proud to announce that myself, @sarahecroberts.bsky.social & @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social are seeking the endorsement of members for national leadership of our mighty union. #strongertogether
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
Dr Liz Allen @drdemography.com · 11/04/2026
ANU Council apparently more concerned about reputation - theirs? - than potential wrongdoing. Surely stamping out wrongdoing is in the best interest of the university and taxpayers?! Far out. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
There are allegations Bell requested minutes of meetings be changed, sought to change employment records, breached conflict of interest provisions, undermined the university's promotions processes, ignored professional guidance, used her seniority to gain advantage for Meares, and overturned the university's central promotions committee after it rejected his bid to become a full professor.The Saturday Paper understands it was Bell's suspension that led to a heated exchange at a university council meeting on February 18, during which interim vice-chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown was yelled at by a council member and ultimately asked to leave the meeting. Chancellor Julie Bishop did not intervene and a complaint about the conduct was made after the meeting.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
NTEU members in the ACT supported by many more around the country have fought so long to expose the governance crisis at the ANU. We have achieved so much but I am still shocked by some of what is still being revealed about Bell and Bishop’s tenure.
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NTEU Victoria @nteuvictoria.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Ian from La Trobe University is ready to Power Up! We’re Building for Bargaining today - let’s go! #HigherEducation #HigherEd #AcademicSky @alisonbarnes.bsky.social
Ian from La Trobe Uni at Power Up: Building for Bargaining
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU Victoria @nteuvictoria.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
That's right, Alison! Our big day is set to Power Up in a few minutes time! #highereducation #HigherEd #AcademicSky
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
The t-shirts are out! 130 NTEU Victorian activists and delegates are about to arrive for the ‘power up and build for bargaining’ conference ✊💥
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Mark Pendleton @markpendleton.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Great to meet with @alisonbarnes.bsky.social and @nteunion.bsky.social colleagues to take some lessons from their governance campaigns back to @ucu.org.uk Plenty of opportunities for future cross-border collaboration too! Looking forward to hitting the ground running as #ucu VP next month.
NTEU president Alison Barnes and UCU vice president for higher education (elect) Mark Pendleton stand on a footpath outside the NTEU headquarters in Melbourne.
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
Tim Flanagan @timflanagan.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Australian university staff watching #4corners tonight
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
When teaching and research at unis is so stretched that management are closing departments and sacking staff, shovelling these huge amounts of public money to outside, private sector consultants - who do neither - is unforgivable www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...
abc.net.au
'Shockingly high': Unis spend $1.8b on consultants and contractors
Consultancies have been accused of infiltrating universities and wasting scarce public funds on questionable advice about cutting courses and jobs.
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Tonight, Four Corners unpacks the crisis of university governance in Australia on #ABC. @nteunion.bsky.social members are proud to have put university governance on the national agenda - but there is more to do! Not yet a member? Join today at www.nteu.au/join ✊
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
🙌 Happy New Year! Start the year protected, connected, and organised. Join NTEU members making 2026 about better workplaces and better universities: nteu.au/join
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
2025 proved what we can achieve together. 2026 is about going further. 👉 Be part of something bigger. Join NTEU today: nteu.au/join
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NTEU Victoria @nteuvictoria.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
After breakthroughs over wage theft, university governance and much more this year, no wonder NTEU members were keen to celebrate! If you missed the party at Trades Hall last week - no worries - come next year! Become a member: nteu.info/joinnteu #HigherEducation @vthc.org.au #HigherEd #AcademicSky
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
The union-run vote comes as controversial, consultant-designed redundancies continue and politicians call for resignations.
abc.net.au
'Time to go': Calls for UTS VC to resign after staff no confidence vote
The union-run vote comes as controversial, consultant-designed redundancies continue and politicians call for resignations.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
“Professor Parfitt has admitted that elements of this plan were absolutely not in the public good, and were pursued in such a callous way that SafeWork NSW ordered a prohibition order due to what was deemed as a serious and imminent risk of psychological harm.” Sarah Kaine MLC
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU Victoria @nteuvictoria.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
What do you want from Santa this Christmas? Casie and Johanna from Baker Institute want more NTEU members! Join NTEU: nteu.info/joinnteu #HigherEd #HigherEducation #Union #academiclife #AcademicSky @damiencahill.bsky.social @alisonbarnes.bsky.social @nteunion.bsky.social
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NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
📣 An extra 9,500 domestic university places will be available next year. “Students are entitled to the best education, and we need more staff providing pastoral care in our classrooms rather than seeing thousands of job losses.” - alisonbarnes.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEGJ...
youtube.com
Increase in university student numbers – Dr Alison Barnes, ABC news
YouTube video by NTEU
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
📣 Calling all university staff and students 📣 Our universities are growing – but what does that mean for teaching, learning and student support? Take our short survey (5–10 mins) today: nteu.info/classes
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
This is the third parliamentary inquiry into uni governance - federal, NSW, now Victoria. NTEU members have exposed the damning evidence: $280m+ wage theft, outrageous exec pay, toxic cultures, corporate-stacked boards. We're winning government action. www.premier.vic.gov.au/putting-stud...
premier.vic.gov.au
Putting Student Voices At The Heart Of Universities
The Allan Labor Government is putting students and staff at the centre of university decision-making, ensuring Victorian universities reflect the communities they serve.Minister for Skills and TAFE Ga...
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
MAJOR UNION WIN 🥳 The federal government will implement a new set of university governance principles to strengthen accountability, transparency and public trust following recommendations from the Expert Council on University Governance. Read more: nteu.info/majorwin @alisonbarnes.bsky.social
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
This damning report is really worth reading and the language of the authors’ criticism of uni executives and their failure to acknowledge the governance crisis is uncharacteristically strong.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Wish I could talk about the teaching and research achievements of our members but nonetheless was great to join former colleague Sue Wright, debunking the excuses of the vice-chancellors’ lobby group for management’s bad decisions www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
abc.net.au
Academics dispute state of finances at leading Sydney university - ABC listen
Almost one in every two Australian universities has been restructured in the past year, and there is more to come. Thousands of jobs have been cut, and thousands more are in the firing line. At the ...
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Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
It has taken time to get university governance on the public radar. Our sector has experienced casualisation, wage theft, & mass job cuts. @nteunion.bsky.social, especially @alisonbarnes.bsky.social, have been great at going after the root cause - the leadership & governance crisis in higher ed.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Much attention has been on ANU but the governance crisis is broad and deep across the sector. Close scrutiny needs to be applied *everywhere*. This is shameful from UTS management.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
The Senate inquiry’s interim recommendations are a massive win for @NTEUnion members’ campaign for governance reform. Transparency, caps on VC pay, stronger staff/student voices & tougher TEQSA powers – all welcome steps. There’s more to fight for!
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
This devastating plan is a disaster for the community and represents a direct attack on the core mission of UTS. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
UTS’s teacher education program set to close as university reveals plan to slash more than 1,000 subjects
Of the 1,101 subjects to be discontinued, 463 had no student enrolments and weren’t taught in 2024, according to University of Technology Sydney’s proposal
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Go Barnsey 🎸🎸🎸 www.afr.com/work-and-car...
afr.com
Don’t stop the music: Jimmy Barnes signs on to save ANU school
A group of 35 musicians have called on the ANU to halt proposed changes to the School of Music saying it will rob musicians of future professional careers.
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
Tim Lyons @picketer.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Bishop needs to go as well. There is no sensible governance arrangement where she gets to lead appointing a new VC. A new Chancellor / Chair and then a deep breath followed by a proper process to appoint a new VC / CEO needed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
abc.net.au
ANU vice-chancellor resigns after months of controversy
Genevieve Bell has bowed to intense pressure and resigned from her position as Australian National University vice-chancellor.
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NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
"A completely broken governance system has allowed unaccountable executives to cause enormous damage to staff, students and communities" - Alison Barnes, NTEU National President @alisonbarnes.bsky.social @nteunion.bsky.social #ANU region.com.au/genevieve-be...
region.com.au
Genevieve Bell resigns as ANU Vice-Chancellor, no word on the future of Renew ANU | Region Canberra
UPDATE 11:35 am: The ANU has now independently confirmed Professor Genevieve Bell has stepped down as Vice-Chancellor and President of…
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Extraordinary for uni bosses to suggest they have no control over the bottom line. Yes, the government needs to scrap Jobs Ready Graduates and replace it. But vice-chancellors must own $734m on consultants in a single year and the executive pay explosion! www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
abc.net.au
University staff 'disheartened and demoralised' as thousands sacked
With the university sector in crisis, thousands face losing their jobs as unions blame poor management and students say they've lost hope.
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Dr Lachlan Clohesy @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
In the last two years, ANU leadership has taken an approach of moving fast and breaking things. Unfortunately, too many of those things were people. Very proud of @nteunion.bsky.social members at #ANU. Now to lock in no forced redundancies. ✊
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
With @NTEUnion members at Victorian Parliament to speak with government MPs about the university governance crisis and the need for reform. Thanks to everyone who shared their horror stories with the MPs including Deputy Premier and Education Minister @BenCarrollMP.
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Vice chancellors' decision to cut jobs while defending their excessive pay further erodes our public institutions and undermines trust in university governance. Let's stand together for better universities 👉 betterunis.nteu.au 📰Read in full here: www.news.com.au/national/nsw...
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Reposted by Alison Barnes
Our ANU @ouranu.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
“Replacing the ANU vice chancellor is a necessary first step… But it is not a sufficient step… If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.” www.afr.com/work-and-car...
afr.com
Why ANU boss Genevieve Bell must go
Replacing the Australian National University vice chancellor is a necessary first step to rebuilding the reputation of the ANU and restoring its legitimacy.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
At today’s Senate inquiry hearing, VCs spent more time complaining about “compliance costs” than showing contrition for the governance crisis. They want to sack hundreds of staff, hiding behind false narratives instead of owning their disastrous workforce planning. www.news.com.au/national/nsw...
news.com.au
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NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
🎙️LIVE NOW🎙️ Hear from VCs in Sydney at the Senate Inquiry into university governance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfKv...
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Van Badham @vanbadham.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Australian universities are a shit show and university managements who listen to corporate consultancy grifters are to blame. My latest in the @theguardian.com. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
To Australia’s university fat cats, who may yet face job cuts not of their own making – don’t forget to wash your underwear …
It’s been decades since parasitic consultancies began advising our tertiary institutions, at exorbitant cost
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NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Meanwhile, keep up the pressure for change by signing our petition. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/pe...
megaphone.org.au
Petition to ANU Council
In support of our petition, we observe that:  • ANU Council has the entire control and management of the University and is required to act in all matters concerning the ANU in the way it thinks w...
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NTEU ACT @nteuact.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
We'll be ready to work with interim leadership from Day 1 to end Renew ANU and stop *all* forced redundancies. This is only possible with new leadership. @nteunion.bsky.social - and everyone else - knows that the farce at #ANU has gone on for far too long.
thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Exclusive: Inside the Australian National University’s leadership crisis
Amid mounting scandals and a loss of confidence in her management, the Australian National University vice-chancellor is negotiating an exit from her role.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Vice-chancellors will face the Senate inquiry into university governance on Monday. They have very serious questions to answer about shocking governance failures on their watch. So far we've seen no meaningful action from VCs to fix governance. Reform is urgent.
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Alison Barnes @alisonbarnes.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
💰💰💰https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/university-boss-got-a-240k-pay-rise-over-three-years-20250902-p5mrth
afr.com
University boss got a $240k pay rise over three years
He heads up one of the smallest universities in Australia but Professor Tyrone Carlin’s salary is nearly $1 million a year.
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Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Reckless Restructures A workplace safety watchdog has intervened to pause a restructure at the University of Technology Sydney due to concerns about its psychosocial impact on staff. With comments from @alisonbarnes.bsky.social from the @nteunion.bsky.social
canberratimes.com.au
Safety watchdog hits pause on 400 university job cuts
Plans to cut hundreds of university jobs have been paused by a workplace safety regulator as concerns over...
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Australian Historical Studies @ahsjournal.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Michelle Arrow, Anna Clark and Frank Bongiorno’s co-authored piece in The Conversation. @michellearrow.bsky.social @frankbongiorno.bsky.social @ouranu.bsky.social @utsengage.bsky.social #MacquarieUniversity
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NTEU @nteunion.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
What a historic win! SafeWork NSW has stepped in to force UTS management to pause job cuts. This would not be possible without NTEU members at UTS standing together to voice and expose the serious and damaging psychosocial impacts on staff wellbeing. Article 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
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Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 03/09/2025
SafeWork NSW orders UTS to pause job cuts due to risk of ‘psychological harm’
theguardian.com
SafeWork NSW orders UTS to pause job cuts due to risk of ‘psychological harm’
Union labels intervention a ‘rare and damning rebuke’ * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has been forced to pause a plan to slash hundreds of jobs after a rare intervention by SafeWork NSW, which said workers would be subject to a “serious and imminent risk of psychological harm” if management pushed ahead. Under the ruling, UTS cancelled all meetings scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday with around 800 impacted staff and paused the release of its change proposal, which was to be rolled out this week. Continue reading...
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