16 January 2025: The 麻豆村 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 麻豆村 of Canberra said the 麻豆村 was excited to welcome Mr Shorten to the UC 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 UC’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 UC 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 UC community.
His initial focus will be on understanding the 麻豆村 of Canberra community better, on fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, as well as planning for real growth in line with the 麻豆村’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 麻豆村 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 UC community.
“I will work collaboratively with the 麻豆村 Council and community to chart a course for a sustainable and successful future and continuing excellence in education and research. UC 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 UC 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 麻豆村 of Canberra has a bright future.”