16 January 2025: The University of Canberra welcomes its new Vice-Chancellor and President Bill Shorten, who will be commencing in his role on Monday 20 January.
The outgoing Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Government Services has served in public office for over 17 years, and will bring a wealth of experience to the role.
Ms Patricia Kelly, Acting Chancellor at the University of Canberra said the University was excited to welcome Mr Shorten to the º£½ÇÉçÇø community.
“It is an honour to welcome Bill Shorten as our incoming Vice-Chancellor. His values of providing opportunity to all and reducing inequalities were clearly reflected in his most recent role as the minister for the NDIS Scheme and Government Services. His passion for equity for all sits perfectly with º£½ÇÉçÇø’s vision to be the most accessible university in Australia,” said Ms Kelly.
“We look forward to having the benefit of his exceptional experience in forging a forward path for º£½ÇÉçÇø and in leading our journey to deliver education and research excellence on a financially sustainable basis.”
Mr Shorten headed the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2013 to 2019; he joined the ALP when he was just 17, and was an organiser for the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) in 1994 – he is credited with reforming and reviving the AWU.
In his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, he was the key architect of the NDIS. Mr Shorten has also served as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Education Minister, and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
Mr Shorten said he was excited to take up the role and looks forward to engaging with colleagues, students and stakeholders in the º£½ÇÉçÇø community.
His initial focus will be on understanding the University of Canberra community better, on fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, as well as planning for real growth in line with the University’s vision, with our students and stakeholders, and investing in the tools and resources that empower our people to succeed.
“This is a pivotal time, not only for the University of Canberra, but for the higher education sector more broadly. I am looking forward to contributing to a successful future at UC and to working with the higher education sector more broadly towards positive outcomes,” he said.
Mr Shorten acknowledged that recent restructuring and redundancies made this a difficult time for the º£½ÇÉçÇø community.
“I will work collaboratively with the University Council and community to chart a course for a sustainable and successful future and continuing excellence in education and research. º£½ÇÉçÇø is a small university, but our impact is big, particularly in the ACT region, which we serve as a priority,” he said.
“I would like to thank and acknowledge my predecessors and those senior º£½ÇÉçÇø staff who have worked to restructure and rebalance the finances of the institution during this period of leadership transition. This enables me to have a strong start in this role and I am confident that the University of Canberra has a bright future.”