University of New South Wales holds out on revealing pay
THE University of NSW has become the only university in the state to reject a call from the NSW Ombudsman to reveal the details of salary packages enjoyed by vice-chancellors. Despite the Ombudsman's specific advice that universities should release "the terms and conditions" in the contracts of their most senior staff, UNSW has rejected the Herald's freedom-of-information request for Fred Hilmer's contract. The university has claimed it cannot release the document because it contains a confidentiality clause and to release it "would be found an action for breach of confidence" under the FoI Act, thereby rendering it exempt from release. In his annual report last year, the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, attacked such clauses, which he said were a deliberate attempt by the universities to avoid their obligations under the FoI laws. He said some universities were acting contrary to the public interest by in effect "contracting out" of the FoI law by including confidentiality clauses in their salary agreements. UNSW holds out on revealing pay
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