The Council of the Australian National University (ANU) met in Canberra today, Friday 8 May 2026, to receive and commence consideration of the report of Dr Vivienne Thom AM (“the Thom ANU Report”).
The Council recognises that the matters examined in the Thom ANU Report have been distressing for many members of our community, and we acknowledge the impact this has had on staff, students and the ANU Community. The Council is committed to working in a highly inclusive, respectful and collegiate manner with the entire ANU community and with each other. We do not want the matters investigated by Dr Thom to occur again.
The terms of reference for Dr Thom's investigation, issued on 1 October 2025, are at Attachment 1 of the full statement. The ANU has adopted procedures designed to maintain strict confidentiality throughout Dr Thom’s investigation to protect the privacy and wellbeing of those who participated and to safeguard the integrity of the process.
Prior to issuing this statement, the ANU has made no comment in relation to the content of the Thom ANU Report. The Thom ANU Report made a number of important findings and recommendations, which are fully accepted by the Council. In particular, Dr Thom made a serious threshold finding of maladministration in relation to the ANU complaint handling process for Council members.
As a Council, we hold ourselves to account for taking immediate and necessary action. This includes the actions from the Nixon working groups and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Our work will also be supported through the University executive and broader community, with regular reporting on progress.
The Thom ANU Report
The Council thanks Dr Thom for her report.
In its discussion today, Council noted that Dr Thom has extensive experience in public sector governance and integrity, including as a senior leader in Commonwealth Government organisations, and particularly noted her strong track record in undertaking complex and sensitive inquiries.
The Council noted that the Thom ANU Report relates to two public interest disclosures involving 36 allegations spanning a period prior to 12 August 2025. Applying the relevant standard of proof and assessing the available evidence, Dr Thom made findings of fact in respect of each allegation and made 12 recommendations. Dr Thom’s findings and recommendations are hers alone. They have not been subject to comment, editing or change by either the Special Governance Committee (SGC) or the Council.
The Council acknowledges the distress individuals shared with Dr Thom, as outlined in her Report, and regrets the experience of those individuals. The Council commits to fully implementing Dr Thom's recommendations and to building trust and confidence in the ANU. The Thom ANU Report considered a number of matters and made one finding of disclosable conduct in relation to the ANU. This finding related to the ANU procedures for managing complaints raised by or about members of the ANU Council. The ANU takes this finding extremely seriously and will work diligently to address the recommendations of Dr Thom.
In addition, the Thom ANU Report made five adverse findings in relation to former Council members in respect of their conduct as Council members. While these adverse findings did not rise to the threshold of disclosable conduct under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (Cth), there was a recommendation that the Council consider whether the conduct breached obligations under the ANU Code of Conduct Policy. The Council carefully considered this recommendation and notes no further action is able to be taken in relation to former Council members.
The Council noted that Dr Thom ensured procedural fairness was provided to all relevant parties in developing her findings. In particular, individuals who were subject to possible adverse findings were interviewed and later provided with relevant aspects of her draft report and given the opportunity to make submissions in response.
Next steps
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (Cth), the Council noted that copies of the report, with appropriate redactions made to protect the identity of the discloser and the privacy of witnesses, were today provided to the Commonwealth Ombudsman and to the discloser.
The Council recognises that workplace disputes and integrity processes of this kind are complex and invariably sensitive. We acknowledge the stress and uncertainty this matter has caused, and that people may have experienced it in different ways. The Council is committed to responding carefully, respectfully and in a way that supports the wellbeing of the ANU community.
In implementing Dr Thom's recommendations going forward, the Council is also cognisant of its responsibilities as the ANU's governing authority pursuant to Part 2, Division 2 of the Australian National University Act 1991 (Cth) (ANU Act) and the Council Charter, as well as the responsibilities of Council members under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth).
The Council is particularly mindful of its obligation under section 9(2) of the ANU Act to act in all matters concerning the ANU in the way it considers will best promote the best interests of the ANU.
To promote these functions, the Council agreed that the SGC would continue to operate, in accordance with its Charter, until its functions have been fully discharged.
The Council noted that the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Authority (TEQSA), received an unredacted copy of the Thom ANU Report pursuant to section 63 of the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Authority Act 2011 (Cth). The Council also noted that reports are expected shortly from TEQSA and the Australian National Audit Office concerning past governance and financial management at the ANU and that these reports will require careful consideration by the Council. As a Council, we are holding ourselves and our senior executives to account for implementing the recommendations from the Thom ANU Report and related reports.
Read the full statement by the Australian National University Council, Friday 8 May 2026
