New South Wales university sector

Introduction

This inquiry was established on 18 August 2025 to inquire into and report on the New South Wales university sector.

Submissions about individual experiences will inform our thinking about the university sector in New South Wales. However, this inquiry will not be conducting investigations or reviews of individual cases.

Video recordings of hearings, where available, can be found on NSW Parliament's YouTube channel


Members
Chair:Sarah Kaine (Australian Labor Party, Legislative Council)
Deputy chair:Sarah Mitchell (The Nationals, Legislative Council)
Members:
Substitute members:
Terms of reference
Timeline
DateMilestone
Mon 18 August 2025Referred
Fri 17 October 2025Submissions closed
Fri 07 November 2025Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Fri 07 November 2025Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Wed 17 December 2025Hearing - Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Level 7
Wed 18 February 2026Hearing - Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Level 7
Wed 01 April 2026Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Wed 08 April 2026Committee Interim Report
Wed 29 April 2026Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Thu 30 April 2026Hearing - Hunter Room, Newcastle City Hall, 290 King Street
Fri 12 June 2026Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Wed 08 July 2026Government Response to Interim Report
Mon 13 July 2026Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney
Submissions

Submissions to this inquiry closed on 17 Oct 2025.

View all submissions

Hearings and transcripts
DateVenue details
Fri 07 November 2025Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView transcript
Fri 07 November 2025Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Wed 17 December 2025Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Level 7View scheduleView transcript
Wed 18 February 2026Jubilee Room, Parliament House, Level 7View scheduleView transcript
Wed 01 April 2026Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Wed 29 April 2026Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Thu 30 April 2026Hunter Room, Newcastle City Hall, 290 King StreetView scheduleView transcript
Fri 12 June 2026Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Mon 13 July 2026Macquarie Room, Parliament House, SydneyView scheduleView transcript
Reports and government responses

Government response - Standing Committee on Social Issues - Report No. 67 - Interim report - New South Wales University sector

Tabled date:
Wed 08 July 2026
PDF837.68 KB

Standing Committee on Social Issues - Report No. 67 - Interim report - New South Wales University sector

Tabled date:
Wed 08 April 2026
Government response due:
Wed 08 July 2026
PDF1.02 MB
Other documents
DateTypeTitle
Fri 31 July 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsScientia Professor Vlado Perkovic, Provost, University of New South Wales (UNSW) (pdf, 986.95 KB)
Fri 31 July 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic, Provost, University of New South Wales (UNSW) (pdf, 138.35 KB)
Mon 27 July 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Tyrone Carlin, Vice-Chancellor, Southern Cross University (pdf, 233.38 KB)
Mon 27 July 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Professor Tyrone Carlin, Vice-Chancellor, Southern Cross University (pdf, 74.68 KB)
Mon 27 July 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsNational Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) UNSW Branch (pdf, 58.43 KB)
Wed 15 July 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Auditor-General response (pdf, 57.17 KB)
Thu 09 July 2026Correspondence Letter from Mr Chris Matthews, National Education Sector Lead Partner and Ms Claire McGuinness, NSW Government Lead Partner, KPMG Australia, responding to the committee's request for further assurance regarding KPMG's management of conflicts of interest in relation to the NSW university sector (pdf, 133.45 KB)
Mon 06 July 2026Correspondence Letter from Professor Bruce S. Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, to Chair, providing information regarding his $875,000 loan from Macquarie University for the purchase of a residence (pdf, 1.52 MB)
Mon 06 July 2026Correspondence Letter from Professor Bruce S. Dowton Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, to Chair, providing further information and advising again that the decision to confirm the redundancy of Associate Professor Jumana Bayeh, former employee, Macquarie University, was not influenced by her participation in the inquiry (pdf, 379.04 KB)
Fri 03 July 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsWestern Sydney University (pdf, 717.34 KB)
Fri 03 July 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Renée Leon PSM, Vice-Chancellor, Charles Sturt University (pdf, 3.80 MB)
Thu 25 June 2026Correspondence Letter from Chair to Professor Bruce S. Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, requesting that he advise why the committee should not conclude that the decision to confirm Associate Professor Jumana Bayeh's redundancy was retaliatory (pdf, 104.77 KB)
Fri 19 June 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr David Maurice, Data Platforms Manager, Division of Operations and Member, NTEU Western Sydney University Branch (pdf, 83.95 KB)
Fri 19 June 2026Correspondence Letter from Professor Bruce S. Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, to Chair, advising that the decision to confirm the redundancy of Associate Professor Jumana Bayeh, former employee, Macquarie University, was not influenced by her participation in the inquiry (pdf, 108.11 KB)
Thu 18 June 2026Correspondence Letter from Chair to Ms Claire McGuinness, NSW Government Lead Partner, and Mr Paul Taylor, National Sector Lead Partner – Education, KPMG Australia, seeking further assurance regarding KPMG's management of conflicts of interest in relation to the NSW university sector (pdf, 998.86 KB)
Thu 18 June 2026Correspondence Letter from Chair to Professor Bruce S. Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, requesting further information regarding his $875,000 loan from Macquarie University for the purchase of a residence (pdf, 981.51 KB)
Thu 18 June 2026Correspondence Letter from Chair to Professor Bruce S. Dowton, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University, seeking explanation and detailed assurance as to whether the participation of Associate Professor Jumana Bayeh in the inquiry had any bearing on the decision to confirm her involuntary redundancy (PDF, 188.70 KB)
Fri 12 June 2026Tendered DocumentWestern Sydney University Top 30 consultants 2025, tendered by Mr Bill Parasiris, Chief Operating Officer, Western Sydney University (pdf, 1.74 MB)
Thu 11 June 2026Additional InformationDr Peter J. Chen, Senior Lecturer in Government and International Relations and NTEU University of Sydney Branch President, further information regarding his response to question 3 (pdf, 53.78 KB)
Fri 05 June 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsUniversity of Newcastle Students' Association (pdf, 164.06 KB)
Fri 05 June 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsNTEU Charles Sturt University Branch (pdf, 194.61 KB)
Mon 01 June 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Robin B. Fitzsimons AM, Honorary Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney (pdf, 587.64 KB)
Sat 30 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Craig Simmons, PVC Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle (pdf, 31.72 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Peter J. Chen, Senior Lecturer in Government and International Relations and NTEU University of Sydney Branch (pdf, 380.66 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Andrew West, Former elected Fellow, University of Sydney (pdf, 444.84 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Belinda Tynan, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle (pdf, 417.88 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsUniversity of Sydney Students' Representative Council (pdf, 209.11 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Richard Denniss, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Australia Institute (pdf, 842.51 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Professor Annamarie Jagose OAM, PhD, FAHA, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, University of Sydney (pdf, 109.93 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Annamarie Jagose OAM, PhD, FAHA, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, University of Sydney (pdf, 3.73 MB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Answers to Question on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle (pdf, 335.86 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional InformationProfessor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle (pdf, 411.88 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional InformationProfessor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle (pdf, 16.08 MB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional InformationProfessor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle (pdf, 48.81 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Answers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (pdf, 370.86 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (XLS, 28.47 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 40.18 MB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 47.49 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 274.20 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 137.17 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PPT, 620.59 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 142.71 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 92.78 KB)
Fri 29 May 2026Additional Information Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, University of New England (PDF, 55.40 KB)
Wed 27 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Paul McCubbin, CFO, University of Newcastle (pdf, 200.22 KB)
Wed 27 May 2026Additional InformationMr Paul McCubbin, CFO, University of Newcastle (pdf, 761.27 KB)
Wed 27 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Laura J. Shepherd, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney (pdf, 270.48 KB)
Wed 27 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor John Buchanan, University of Sydney Business School (pdf, 91.15 KB)
Mon 25 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Tim Connor, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle (pdf, 89.32 KB)
Mon 25 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Dr Tim Connor, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle (pdf, 403.76 KB)
Fri 22 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Associate Professor Elizabeth Temple, School of Psychology and NTEU University of New England Branch Representative (pdf, 4.15 MB)
Wed 20 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsAssociate Professor Jumana Bayeh, School of International Studies, Macquarie University (pdf, 5.01 MB)
Wed 20 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsAssociate Professor Nicole Matthews, School of Communication, Society and Culture, Macquarie University (pdf, 10.42 MB)
Wed 20 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Nicholas Harrigan, Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology and NTEU Macquarie University Branch President (pdf, 698.92 KB)
Wed 20 May 2026Additional InformationDr Nicholas Harrigan, Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology and NTEU Macquarie University Branch President (pdf, 950.37 KB)
Wed 20 May 2026Additional InformationDr Nicholas Harrigan, Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology and NTEU Macquarie University Branch President (mp4, 2.53 MB)
Wed 06 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Dean Yates and Mrs Leigh Walker, EY Oceania (pdf, 337.31 KB)
Wed 06 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor S. Bruce Dowton, Professor Eric Knight and Professor Chris Dixon, Macquarie University (pdf, 34.22 MB)
Wed 06 May 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Professor S. Bruce Dowton, Professor Eric Knight and Professor Chris Dixon, Macquarie University (pdf, 302.04 KB)
Tue 05 May 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr John Dewar AO, Partner, KordaMentha (pdf, 264.27 KB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentOpening Statement - Complete version, tendered by Professor Alex Zelinsky AO (pdf, 1.22 MB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentUniversity of Newcastle, Looking Ahead 2030 Strategic Plan, tendered by Professor Alex Zelinsky AO (pdf, 6.91 MB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentThe Wollotuka Institute, Cultural Standards, University of Newcastle, 2026, tendered by Professor Alex Zelinsky AO (pdf, 12.07 MB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentSRC Statement Psychosocial Safety at the University of Newcastle, Australia, tendered by Ms Imogen Reid (pdf, 1.92 MB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentOpening statement - Complete version, tendered by Mx Jennifer Lowe (pdf, 2.37 MB)
Thu 30 April 2026Tendered DocumentPanel Report from the External Review of Financial Services, April 2014, tendered by Mx Jennifer Lowe (pdf, 12.10 MB)
Wed 29 April 2026Tendered DocumentMenzies' party needs a quick history lesson, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 October 2020, tendered by Dr Robin B. Fitzsimons AM (pdf, 2.80 MB)
Wed 29 April 2026Tendered DocumentUSyd Doesn't Listen: Five Key Policies Updated and Implemented Following "Feedback" Process, Honi Soit, 6 June 2025, tendered by Ms Grace Street (pdf, 5.11 MB)
Wed 29 April 2026Answers to Supplementary Questions Mr Lea Patterson, President, CEO, Pilbara (pdf, 82.36 KB)
Wed 29 April 2026Answers to Questions on Notice Mr Lea Patterson, President, CEO, Pilbara (pdf, 57.77 KB)
Thu 12 March 2026OtherAnswers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Deloitte (pdf, 220.68 KB)
Thu 12 March 2026OtherAnswers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Dr David Bond, Director of Online Programs, UNSW Business School (pdf, 215.78 KB)
Thu 12 March 2026OtherAnswers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Nous Group (pdf, 330.96 KB)
Thu 12 March 2026OtherAnswers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - KPMG (pdf, 143.21 KB)
Mon 09 March 2026Correspondence Letter from Ms Marisa Mastroiani to Chair responding to correspondence from Dr Jonathan Mackay (pdf, 142.89 KB)
Wed 04 March 2026Correspondence Letter from Chair to Ms Marisa Mastroianni, University of Wollongong Global Enterprises providing the opportunity to respond to the correspondence from Dr Mackay (pdf, 71.07 KB)
Mon 02 March 2026OtherAnswers to Questions on Notice and Answers to Supplementary Questions - Professor Corinne Cortese, Professor of Accounting, University of Wollongong (pdf, 814.63 KB)
Mon 16 February 2026Correspondence Correspondence from Ms Laura Henschke, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC, to the Chair, declining to appear at a hearing of the inquiry into the university sector, received 16 February 2026. (pdf, 584.09 KB)
Mon 16 February 2026Correspondence Email from Dr Jonathan Mackay, Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong, and former Chair of the UOW Pride Network, received 16 February 2026, challenging the answer to supplementary question 11(c) from Ms Marisa Mastroianni, University Of Wollongong Global Enterprises, regarding concerns raised by staff about opening a campus in Saudi Arabia, along with the following attachments: Email from Dr Mackay to Senior Professor Sue Bennett, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Life, University Of Wollongong, resigning from his role as Chair of the University Of Wollongong Pride Network, sent 10 April 2025, Email from Dr Mackay to University Of Wollongong Pride Network, advising of his resignation as Chair of the Network, sent 9 April 2025 (pdf, 890.19 KB)
Fri 13 February 2026Answers to Questions on Notice University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 2.27 MB)
Tue 03 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsWollongong Undergraduate Students Association (pdf, 115.53 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Questions on Notice University of Wollongong (pdf, 223.58 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMs Lisa Simmons, Faculty Research Operations and Chair, WHS Committee, University of Wollongong (pdf, 399.66 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMs Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director, University of Wollongong Global Enterprises (pdf, 480.64 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Michael Still, Chancellor, University of Wollongong (pdf, 440.14 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor G.Q. Max Lu AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong (pdf, 166.29 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsProfessor Nina Reynolds, Chair of Academic Senate, University of Wollongong (pdf, 55.65 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Warwick Shanks OAM, Deputy Chancellor, University of Wollongong (pdf, 96.21 KB)
Sun 01 February 2026Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Adam Lucas, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Humanities & Social Inquiry. Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Wollongong (pdf, 354.84 KB)
Wed 17 December 2025Tabled DocumentChronology of Key Events dated 6 March 2025 - Tabled by Ms Lisa Simmons (pdf, 529.43 KB)
Thu 11 December 2025Answers to Questions on Notice Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 1.26 MB)
Thu 11 December 2025Answers to Supplementary Questions Authors of the UTS Alternative Plan (pdf, 73.26 KB)
Thu 11 December 2025Answers to Supplementary QuestionsUniversity of Technology Sydney (pdf, 3.91 MB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Supplementary QuestionsDr Jack Steele, Council Member, and Chair, Audit and Risk Committee, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 270.94 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMs Anne O'Driscoll FAICD FCA, Council Member, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 275.78 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Supplementary QuestionsMr Richard Fleming, Council Member, and Chair, Infrastructure Committee, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 428.52 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Questions on Notice Dr John F Laker AO, Deputy Chancellor, and Council Member, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 71.18 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Questions on Notice Dr Jack Steele, Council Member, and Chair, Audit and Risk Committee, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 64.41 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Questions on Notice Ms Anne O'Driscoll FAICD FCA, Council Member, University of Technology Sydney (pdf, 212.08 KB)
Wed 10 December 2025Answers to Questions on Notice UTS Council Members Panel 2 (pdf, 82.80 KB)
Fri 07 November 2025Additional InformationUTS Student Representatives Submission on the Academic Change Proposal (pdf, 440.95 KB)
Fri 07 November 2025OtherIn camera transcript - Corrected - 7 November 2025 - Redacted (pdf, 218.14 KB)
Thu 06 November 2025Media ReleaseMedia release - First hearing (pdf, 274.11 KB)
Tue 14 October 2025Media ReleaseCall for submissions (pdf, 135.67 KB)
Contact us

Merrin Thompson

Role:
Director Committees
Phone:
9230 2895
Email:
socialissues@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Bridget Armstrong

Role:
Principal Council Officer
Phone:
02 9230 2978
Email:
socialissues@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Hannah Rhee

Role:
Senior Council Officer (temp)
Phone:
9230 3073
Email:
socialissues@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Sabrina Zhang

Role:
Administration Officer
Phone:
9230 2916
Email:
socialissues@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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