Some staff at Murdoch University are invited to contribute to a “preliminary review” of “issues, matters and processes at the university.” A member of the university’s council has written to a small number of staff, believed to be around 20, saying Chancellor David Flanagan has, “written to me encouraging me to ask any employee who I know has relevant information to make that information available.”

CMM understands barrister Heather Millar, from Francis Burt chambers in Perth, is commissioned to look at a range of issues including, international student recruitment and services provided for them at the university, staff appointment processes, including for senior positions and the well-being and mental health of Murdoch workers.

The review appears broader than an investigation into international student recruitment and standards, first revealed by Bethany Hiatt in The West Australian.

The National Tertiary Education Union has written to Mr Flanagan stating that asking “selected employees” to participate “does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to a thorough investigation of the issues” and asking for the review to accept contributions from all staff and students. The union also seeks an assurance that staff who do provide information are protected and indemnified as whistleblowers.

In response to a CMM request for comment a Murdoch representative responded last night with a one-line statement, “it is not the university’s practice to comment on such matters.”