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Vaile took aim at what he saw as ‘ a dangerous style of activism ’.
Cancelled out
Mark Vaile steps back from chancellorship amid backlash .
By Wade Zaglas
Paul Jeans has been reappointed as the chancellor of the University of Newcastle , following a backlash against former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile ’ s appointment and his decision to stand down .
The decision to reappoint Jeans came after Mark Vaile , chair of Whitehaven Coal , turned down the offer , citing an “ unjust ” campaign against him despite being appointed unopposed at the time .
University of Newcastle staff and alumni aired concerns when it emerged that Vaile – former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister to John Howard between 2005 and 2007 – had connections with a major mining company . This was viewed as a conflict of interest by his critics , given the university ’ s wish to make the university carbon neutral by 2025 .
Before deciding not to take up the appointment , a wave of anger and disappointment rolled across the university , with an academic resigning from the university council and 16 philanthropists stating they would blacklist the university from any new funding if the appointment went ahead .
A full-page advertisement against the appointment was published in The Newcastle Herald , with the backing of signatories including entrepreneur Alan Schwartz , former Australian rugby captain David Pocock and philanthropist Sue McKinnon .
“ Mr Vaile has played an important role in Australian politics and business , but that
Mark Vaile steps down from the National Party leadership in 2007 . Photo : Andrew Sheargold
role has included questioning the science of climate change and its links to drought ,” the letter said .
“ As significant donors we write this letter to make clear to the university that we , and many like-minded others , will not support a university who would choose as their leader someone who is determined to build new coal mines when most of the world is determined to reduce fossil fuel use .”
The University of Newcastle Students ’ Association ( UNSA ) also aired its fury over the appointment . The ABC reported that the union would not support Vaile as chancellor unless he resigned as chair of Whitehaven Coal and publicly acknowledged the need to support climate action .
VAILE : TWO ROLES ‘ DON ’ T PRESENT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ’
Vaile told the ABC that it was wrong to assume that his dual roles presented a conflict of interest .
“ I see the different roles as not necessarily being absolutely compatible in everybody ’ s minds , but they ’ re not mutually exclusive ,” he said .
He also told the national broadcaster there would be no change to the strategic direction of the university under his chancellorship .
“ One of the first things when I was approached to consider this position was to go and read the current annual report of the university and its values , and particularly the strategic plan and the very strong focus it has on becoming carbon neutral by 2025 ,” he said .
“ If I couldn ’ t support that , and if I couldn ’ t commit to achieving that with everybody else in the broader university community , then I wouldn ’ t consider it .”
Before deciding to walk away from the role , Vaile took aim at what he saw as “ a dangerous style of activism ” spearheaded by several climate action groups .
“ This has been a very difficult decision for me but has become necessary given the unjustified campaign against the appointment led by minority groups placing ideology before proper governance ,” Vaile said .
Vaile said the fierce backlash included “ all the hallmarks of the worst intolerance of the self-righteous ”.
“ It is based on emotion and not fact and demands conformity before understanding . It is an approach that corrodes respectful civic debate . It represents everything a university should not be and diminishes all who are associated with it ,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported .
Greens education spokesperson and senator Mehreen Faruqi was one of many who welcomed the news Vaile would not be taking up the position at the University of Newcastle .
“ This is a huge win for the university staff and students who fought this terrible appointment , and for the Hunter community . Coal bosses have no place in university leadership . The university community spoke out , organised and knocked this appointment on its head ,” she said .
HOW VAILE ’ S APPOINTMENT CAME ABOUT AND HOW IT WAS MET
Before stepping away from the role , current chancellor Paul Jeans posted a defence of Vaile on the University of Newcastle ’ s staff intranet . Jeans affirmed in the post that Vaile was the best of the 36 candidates considered for the position , and that the Whitehaven Coal chair had supported the university ’ s aim to become carbon neutral by 2025 . Jeans added that the council would be stronger with a more diverse set of backgrounds , views and skills .
Federal education minister Alan Tudge also weighed into the argument , calling the university ’ s decision to revoke Vaile ’ s appointment an example of “ cancel culture ”. ■
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