Terms of Reference -- 28 March 1996

{SEAL}
Western Australian Paliament

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
MEDIA STATEMENT -- 28 MARCH 1996

The Legislative Council's Standing Committee on Government Agencies ("Committee") today determined the terms of reference on its inquiry into the events surrounding the denial of tenure to Dr David Rindos by the University of Western Australia.

The terms of reference as resolved by the Committee are as follows:

To inquire into and report on --

1. The events surrounding the denial of tenure to Dr David Rindos by the University of Western Australia ("University"), and more particularly to-

(a) investigate whether the procedures adopted by the University to review and determine the tenure of Dr Rindos and his subsequent appeals were deficient and amounted to a breach of the common law rules of fairness;
(b) determine what, if any, remedies might be available to Dr Rindos or to make any appropriate recommendations for the swift and equitable resolution of the disupte between Dr Rindos and the University; and
(c) make recommendations arising out of the events surrounding the denial of tenure to Dr Rindos concerning the need to maintain the integrity, professionalism, and international standing of State Universities generally, thereby reinforcing the public confidence in the State tertiary educational system.

2. The internal management procedures of the University and the associated administrative decision-making processes, including the functions of:

(i) the Senate as the "governing authority" of the University;
(ii) the office of Vice-Chancellor in the internal administration of the University;
(iii) the Divisional and Departmental Heads in the decision-making processes of the University relative to other academic members of the Division and Department respectively; and
(iv) filing and record-keeping systems, to the extent to which the University has installed proper mechanisms to prevent unauthorised interference.

The Committee also resolved that, subject to the operation of Standing Order 324: --

"The Standing Committee shall consider application by witnesses to be heard in private session and no evidence or testimony taken in private session may be released without the consent of the committee."

All meetings held in relation to this inquiry would be held in public.

Further details are available from the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Barry House MLC on (09) 222 7222 or by facsimile on (097) 91 2326.

Parliament House Perth WA 6000 Tel: (09)222 7222 Facsimile (09)321 2914