Campus shutdown leads to conviction

SWINBURNE University breached the Fair Work Act by failing to consult with staff and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) over its decision last July to shut its Lilydale campus.
On Wednesday, the Federal Court of Australia found that Swinburne University of Technology was guilty of four breaches of the Fair Work Act.
NTEU commenced proceedings in March 2013 against Swinburne in the Federal Court.
Swinburne admitted it contravened the Fair Work Act and agreed to make donations to eight Outer Eastern Neighbourhood and Community Houses and two services which support the victims of domestic violence.
Swinburne also apologised to all staff for breaking the law and paid the legal costs of NTEU.
“The announcement on 6 July 2012 about the closures of the Lilydale and Prahran campuses were a great shock to our members and the broader community,” said Dr Colin Long, NTEU Victorian Secretary.
“Whilst the apology and other actions are appropriate in the context of this litigation, it is now time for Swinburne to apologise to all students and to the communities they once served in Victoria,” he said.
“On a positive note, the response from the community organisations NTEU nominated for donations has been great.
“These neighbourhood houses are all that is left to support the education of our community now that the Liberal government and Swinburne have shut the Lilydale campus.”