[Greens-Media] VICTORIA UNIVERSITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES STAFF RETRENCHMENTS

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Thursday 20 September 2007

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES STAFF RETRENCHMENTS

Financially troubled Victoria University spent $25,000 on the New Year 
function it held for the University Councillors and a further $71,000 on 
entertainment expenses over an 18 month period, while University staff 
were being retrenched under new austerity measures, according to 
information obtained by Green MLC Colleen Hartland.

"You've got to ask yourself why a struggle-street western suburbs 
university is spending $25,000 on a function for less than 100 people."

"I'd heard a rumour about it, so I put in a freedom of information 
request.  I could hardly believe the results.  $1,900 on framed 
invitations, $2,000 on hire cars and $1,500 on flowers."

"$25,000 would feed a family for a year in the Western Suburbs", said Ms 
Hartland. "Or more to the point, it would have boosted the budget for 
staffing."

"Victoria University's staff departure program has led to more than 70 
separations.  The austerity program has also meant cuts to student 
services," said Ms Hartland.

The information obtained by the Greens showed that senior managers of the 
University spent a further $71,115 on entertainment over a 18 month period 
on their University credit cards, at some of Melbourne’s most expensive 
restaurants.

"While all this is going on, the University budget warned that it must 
'live within its means'."

Entertainment expenses by University Councillors included Vice-Chancellor 
Elizabeth Harman ($10,377), Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of Education 
Programs John McCallum ( $12,352), the Dean of Business and Law Colin 
Clark ($12,106) and DVC of Education Services, Richard Carter ($11,787) 
whose expenses included  $3,630 to attend a Melbourne Football Club game.* 


"I know some great African restaurants in Footscray where they could have 
fed the whole Council for $12 a head and taught them a little bit about 
life as well", said Ms Hartland

Further comment:

Colleen Hartland  9651 8788 / 0417 445 845

* Spreadsheet detailing expenses / individual invoices available on 
request.

**************************************
Liz Ingham
Office of Colleen Hartland MLC
Western Metropolitan Region

A: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon 3011
P: 9689 6373
M: 0409 333 595
F: 9689 6227
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au

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