ANU budget package focussed on renewal and growth

A voluntary early retirement scheme, a major overhaul of administration, increased parking fees, a student recruitment drive and energy savings are amongst a comprehensive package of budget measures announced by ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young at a meeting of ANU staff and students today. Professor Young also announced an immediate pay increase of 2 per cent for all ANU staff, and a further 2 per cent increase to be paid in 2014. Professor Young told the meeting that the University was choosing to approach this challenge as a catalyst for change, renewal and growth. "The package is a comprehensive one that firstly looks to grow income for the University, and then seeks to make savings in a way that will enhance our academic excellence," he said. The package, drawn from the suggestions of staff and students, includes measures aimed at increasing revenue, realising substantial savings and investing in new staff. The major measures in the package are: A voluntary early retirement scheme open to academic and professional staff aged over 55. For academic staff, the retirement scheme aims to foster renewal of the academic workforce by enabling investment in outstanding young academic staff.