Council (Elections) Order 2017

Overview

The Australian National University Council (Elections) Order 2017 was enacted to address the need for updated definitions regarding the organisational structure of the university, specifically in relation to the colleges and research schools and their respective deans or heads. This Order was made under the authority of the Council (Elections) Statute 2016, section 21, and its purpose is to align the definitions with the current organisational structure of the Joint Colleges of Science and other academic units, which have undergone changes since the last Order was issued. The Order was formulated by the Vice-Chancellor on 2 August 2017, following consultations with relevant university stakeholders to ensure these structural and naming changes were adequately considered and agreed upon. The policy objective of this Order is to ensure that the election processes within the university accurately reflect the current organisational hierarchy and leadership roles.

Scope and Application

The Australian National University Council (Elections) Order 2017 applies to the governance framework of the Australian National University, specifically addressing the structural definitions necessary for elections within the university. It targets the academic bodies within the institution, namely colleges and research schools, and specifies who holds the position of dean or head in these entities. This Order is integral to ensuring that the electoral processes within the university align with its organisational structure, as defined by the Australian National University Act 1991. The Order is a Commonwealth instrument, given that it pertains to a federal institution, the Australian National University. It does not extend beyond the university's internal governance and does not incorporate any external documents by reference. The Vice-Chancellor issued the Order following consultations with relevant stakeholders, reflecting recent changes in the university’s organisational structure and academic unit names.

Key Provisions

The Australian National University Council (Elections) Order 2017 provides specific definitions and requirements for the conduct of elections within the university, as outlined in section 21 of the Council (Elections) Statute 2016. Primarily, section 2 of the Order (paragraph 10(1)(k) of the Australian National University Act 1991) identifies which bodies are to be considered as colleges and research schools, as well as the individuals who are to be recognised as the dean or head of these bodies. This section serves to clarify the institutional framework within which the university's electoral processes must operate, ensuring that the roles and responsibilities of each party are well defined. In terms of obligations, the Order imposes clear requirements on the university’s administrative bodies, particularly in relation to the identification and recognition of colleges, research schools, and their respective deans or heads. These obligations necessitate that the university maintains accurate and updated records of its organisational structure, ensuring that all changes are communicated and documented appropriately. The Order also mandates that any changes to the organisational structure or naming of academic units must be subject to consultation with relevant stakeholders within the university, as outlined in the explanatory statement. This requirement ensures that all changes are made transparently and with due consideration of the interests of all parties involved. The Order does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of its provisions. However, by mandating clear definitions and consultation processes, it implies that failure to adhere to these requirements could lead to complications in the conduct of elections and the overall governance of the university. Any discrepancies or failures in recognising the appropriate bodies or individuals could potentially disrupt the electoral processes and affect the legitimacy of the outcomes. While the Order does not specify maximum penalties, breaches of such governance and procedural requirements could result in administrative or legal consequences under the broader framework of the Australian National University Act 1991 and the Council (Elections) Statute 2016.