Disclosure log

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request access to the following:

documents relating to the review of the Planning and Service Performance division at ANU, initiated by the Chief Operating Officer in early 2024 and led by David Scott (david.scott@sydney.edu.au).

Scope of Request

The final report and any interim findings, recommendations, or actions resulting from the review. Any version of these documents received, discussed, or forwarded by the Vice-Chancellor, COO, or Director of PSP.

Emails or messages discussing the findings, recommendations, actions, or any decision to take no further action as a result of the review.

To streamline the search, this should be limited to exchanges involving:

Chris Price (former COO)

Jonathon Churchill (current COO)

Richelle Hilton (Director of PSP)

David Scott (david.scott@sydney.edu.au)

The Vice-Chancellor

Timeframe: 1 January 2024 – 1 March 2025

Emails to be searched for all documents:

COO@anu.edu.au

Director.PSP@anu.edu.au

Christopher.Price@anu.edu.au (including archived emails)

Jonathan.Churchill@anu.edu.au

Richelle.Hilton@anu.edu.au

David.Scott@sydney.edu.au

Other Platforms: Any related discussions in Teams, Slack, or similar internal systems.

If any documents fall within the scope but contain exempt material, I request partial release with necessary redactions.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request access to copies of the following documents: 
The paper circulated to ANU Council members out-of-session on 23 September 2024 (C5 Permanent Cost Base Reduction Plans: Q4, 2024), states: 
“To achieve our overall salary cost reduction target by EOY 2025, we will need further realignment, reassessment and restructuring activities in 2025. These may result in further targeted Change Proposals in 2025.
We will bring a more developed plan for next year to the Feb 2025 Council meeting.”

I therefore request: 

Any documents prepared for ANU Council in relation to further realignment, reassessment and restructuring activities in 2025, including documents that constitute or refer to any further targeted Change Proposals.

Any documents constituting the “developed plan for next year” that was due to be provided to the February 2025 Council meeting. 

The agenda and minutes for the meeting of ANU Council on 14 February 2025.

The agenda for the meeting of ANU Council on 28 March 2025.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request access to copies of the following documents: 

All documents relating to the decision in September 2024 to exempt contracts between ANU and Nous Group Pty Ltd in relation to provision of professional services relating to strategic change support from the requirements of the University's procurement guidelines, including but not limited to:

The exemption request submitted to the authorised delegate in relation to Nous Group Pty Ltd and provision of professional services relating to strategic change support. 

Any advice provided by the University Procurement & Contracts Office, or any other ANU officer, to the authorised delegate in relation to this exemption. 

Documents confirming the decision to grant the exemption, and any reasons given for this decision. 

Any communication between ANU and Nous Group Pty Ltd that occurred prior to the date of the exemption request and that relates to the provision by Nous Group of professional services relating to strategic change support. 

Documents describing the scope of services to be provided by Nous Group and project milestones, as per the original procurement in September 2024, as amended following extension of the contract in December 2024, and describing the services to be provided after the contract was extended again in January 2025. 

A description of all costs relating to travel and other expenses incurred by Nous Group and not otherwise included in the value of the contract. 

I request access to copies of all correspondence, including emails, letters, meeting notes, and text messages, between the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, other members of Senior Leadership Group and representatives of Nous Group, where the content relates to the decision to engage Nous Group, the scope of work or deliverables under the engagement, or any discussions on the intended purpose or expected outcomes of Nous Group’s work for ANU. This request covers both direct correspondence with Nous Group and internal ANU discussions about the engagement. The relevant date range for this request is 1 January 2024 to 24 February 2025.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request access to copies of the following documents: 

The paper distributed out of session to members of ANU Council, and referred to at Item C3 of the minutes of Council Meeting No 488 (23 September 2024), that outlines how the University will realign its underlying cost base to achieve the required $250m reduction. 

The request to members of council to provide their endorsement of this paper by Friday 27 September. 

Responses endorsing the paper as written. 

Any other written correspondence relating to the endorsement, or otherwise, of this paper. 

Date range for the documents being requested
23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024