In support of our petition, we observe that:  • ANU Council has the entire control and management of the University and is required to act in all matters concerning the ANU in the way it thinks will best promote the interests of the ANU;  • Staff, students and members of the community have reasonable and genuinely held concerns about the direction of our national university. Many of these concerns relate to the delivery of Renew ANU, which has been destructive and harmful to staff, students and the capacity of the University to perform its functions; and  • A range of issues relating to transparency, accountability, governance and leadership at the ANU have been widely reported, and have not been adequately addressed. These are a source of ongoing damage to the reputation and standing of our national university, which is now subject to an unprecedented investigation by TEQSA.  For these reasons we conclude it is reasonable, necessary and in the best interests of the ANU for ANU Council to fulfil its duties by immediately adopting the course of action proposed by this petition.

Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives. Despite this commitment, Nine management have made few tangible changes to their existing terms of engagement for freelance contributors, and have ignored members calls to implement fair rates, annual increases, and a signed agreement. Freelancers are the lowest paid and most insecurely employed workers in the media industry, and the business models of major publications are becoming increasingly reliant on exploitation of these workers. We must demand fair freelance rates and conditions if we are to ensure a future for quality journalism.