Management at Australia's leading research funding agency is moving ahead with plans to cut staff positions, even as the organisation takes on more responsibilities and prepares for a major overhaul of its grants system.
Secret Restructure and Staff Concerns
Staff at the Australian Research Council (ARC) were informed on October 20 that an organisational review was underway. However, they were given just three days to provide consultation feedback. The process did not include individual meetings, relying instead on emailed questions and focus groups.
Only three weeks later, employees began receiving individual emails stating their positions were "affected." The Canberra Times has obtained these communications, which confirm that job losses will occur if the proposed restructure proceeds.
The situation escalated at an all-staff meeting on November 19, led by ARC chief executive Ute Roessner. A staff member confronted senior management, demanding to know why he had been offered a voluntary redundancy package before consultation had concluded. Managers reportedly told him the forum was not appropriate for airing such concerns.
Political Scrutiny and Allegations of Secrecy
Independent ACT Senator David Pocock has accused the ARC of conducting the restructure in secret, with inadequate consultation and no public oversight. He revealed he has been contacted by multiple staff members alarmed about the potential loss of roughly 20 positions.
"I have serious questions about the timing, the process and whether it relates to the request from the government for the public service to identify their lowest five per cent of spending priorities," Senator Pocock said.
He expressed frustration that the ARC was dismissed from Thursday night's Senate estimates hearings, preventing him from raising the issue directly. He plans to write to the Minister for Education.
Senator Pocock warned that implementing the restructure would "result in a reduction in the number of roles at the ARC," an agency he described as already under-resourced. He cited capacity constraints and the impact of the efficiency dividend, challenges previously highlighted in an independent review.
Union Reaction and Management Response
Rebecca Fawcett, deputy secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), said the union had limited detail but was deeply concerned. "It is deeply concerning that an organisation with such a critical and growing workload is considering reducing staff numbers," she stated.
Fawcett emphasised that the ARC's work is essential for Australia's research community, and cutting positions risks undermining its capacity to deliver vital outcomes.
Following inquiries from The Canberra Times, ARC management allegedly attempted to identify the source of the leaked emails by pulling staff into meetings for questioning. Senator Pocock said he was "extremely concerned" about potential reprisals against whistleblowers.
An ARC spokesperson defended the review, stating: "It is best practice to periodically review an agency's operating model to ensure effective and efficient use of taxpayer money."
Critics argue the timing is poor, with the Strategic Examination of Research and Development review due imminently. Senator Pocock said it seemed "premature and inadvisable" to restructure before that review is handed down and the government responds.
