CQU has around 200 applications for voluntary redundancy as management faces an $114m budget hole this year, with more revenue reductions next year – they aren’t enough

Last month VC Nick Klomp warned the university could save $59m through cuts, not to staff, and campus closures (CMM April 22) –  but that still left $55m to find for now.

The university says not everybody who has put their hand up will be let go. But CQU observers suggest with the university over $20m short, everybody who leaves willingly will reduce the number who will be told to go.

As CQU management puts it; “this process is nearing finalisation and an update on how many expression of interest will be accepted, as well as any further cost saving measures will be announced in the coming weeks.”

CQU is acting early but it’s by no means alone. Unless negotiating VCs and the National Tertiary Education Union federal leadership can come up with a trade-off of conditions for job security that is acceptable to their separate constituencies, people are going to start leaving their jobs – and there will be nothing voluntary about it.