Queensland’s Vice-Chancellors did not score pay rises last year. Jacqui Lambie had something to do with that.
Before the last election, the Tasmanian Senator came over all outraged that VCs are paid way more than the Federal Treasurer and called for salary caps. Her Bill went nowhere then, but was referred to a Senate committee after the poll – which has finally reported.
The times have overtaken Senator Lambie’s proposal; the Government Senators’ committee recommendation is the Bill be dropped, in part because the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal will set “classification ranges for vice-chancellor remuneration.”
Senator Lambie calls for this to be expanded to other university positions and warns, “If remuneration isn't brought into line with societal expectations, the Government's solution will be found wanting, the community and other university staff will voice their disapproval, it will become a public fiasco again and public trust will be further eroded.”
But she has made her point, insofar as no Queensland VC had a 2024-2025 pay rise. Some even were paid a token amount less, as far, that is, as drops of around $20,000 appear symbolic to average income earners.
Uni Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese appears to understand the importance of explaining his top people’s pay. In the University’s newly-released 2025 Annual Report he is at pains to point out that 25% of VC Deborah Terry’s base salary is at performance-based risk. Mr Varghese also provides an explanation of UniQ’s executive pay process.
It will not necessarily convince critics who wonder why any VC receives multiples of the Prime Minister’s pay, but it is an improvement on the University Chancellors Council submission to the inquiry on Senator Lambie’s bill, which included, “If Australia is committed to global competitiveness in research, innovation, and education – ensuring our university leadership is of the highest calibre must be a priority.”
This never was enough of an argument to earn public trust and it is not now.