Charles Sturt University is failing to be open and transparent on its finances, the Member for Calare and Regional Education minister Andrew Gee has claimed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In response to an earlier call by Mr Gee, CSU announced on Wednesday it had appointed auditing firm KPMG to check its funding and report back to the University Council.
However, Mr Gee hit back on Thursday saying the response was inadequate.
He said staff and students had been contacting him concerned about the university's financial situation.
"The announcement made by Charles Sturt University on [Wednesday] falls well short of delivering the rigorous, open and transparent audit of the financial performance and financial position of the university," he said.
Sunlight is the best form of disinfectant.
- Andrew Gee, Member for Calare and Regional Education minister
"CSU's statement is inadequate and fails to commit to the audit in the terms set out in the resolution agreed by the University Council."
Mr Gee said the University Council had said in June it would seek a financial audit that would assess the impact of the university's Sustainable Futures Program including a 'pre, during and post COVID-19' analysis of student enrolments.
"The resolution also stated that the council would report the results of the audit to the Australian and NSW governments," he said.
"The University's statement is silent on all of the key points contained in the resolution which were agreed almost two months ago.
"Students and staff have been approaching my office and are increasing concerned about the apparent disarray that is stemming from the lack of open and transparent information about the university's financial position."
Mr Gee called on CSU to open its books to 'shine some light' on its finances, management and operations.
"Sunlight is the best form of disinfectant," he said.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov said CSU's finances were checked by the state government.
"The NSW Auditor-General undertakes annual financial audits of the financial statements of NSW universities, which are publicly available along with the detailed financial data that is published in our annual reports," he said.
"In line with the Sustainable Futures Program, the university is reviewing its policies, operational practices and senior leadership structures."