As Uni Melbourne staff voted on the university’s savings proposal yesterday 80 or so law school staff wrote to Vice Chancellor Duncan Maskell

They backed colleague Joo-Cheong Tham’s critical analysis of the university proposal.

“The legal analysis provided to colleagues by Professor Tham is cogent and based on sound legal reasoning. The analyses are not based on misrepresentations or manifestly incorrect.”

And they do not think much of management rebuttals. “We appreciate that these are extraordinary times. Many staff, including ourselves, are willing to forego salary in exchange for guaranteed job protections. However, in failing to acknowledge valid criticisms, the university risks eroding confidence that its actions will in fact benefit staff.”