Appointment of Louise Adena as Editor of On Campus
Dear Australian National University,
Background: Ms Adena has served as Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor since early 2024. In early 2025, she appeared in On Campus with her own editorial introduction as Editor of On Campus. This request seeks to clarify how this Editor role was created, whether it was formally approved or recruited, what financial arrangements exist, and how any potential conflict of interest has been managed.
Specifically, I request access to all documents, whether formal or informal, for the period 1 January 2024 to present, including but not limited to:
1. Any documents related to the creation, recruitment, appointment or engagement of Ms Adena as Editor of On Campus, including:
o Position descriptions, business cases, recruitment or appointment papers, selection reports, approvals and contracts
o Any justification for combining or creating this editorial role in addition to her Senior Advisor duties
o Any documents showing whether a competitive process was undertaken or an exemption was granted.
2. Any documents provided to or generated by the Recruitment Approval Committee (RAC) regarding the Editor role or Ms Adena’s dual roles.
3. All communications (including emails, Signal messages, instant messages, Teams chats, handwritten notes, meeting notes) between the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Media and Communications, Human Resources, Finance or other relevant areas discussing:
o Ms Adena’s appointment as Editor of On Campus
o The rationale for her introduction as Editor while holding the Senior Advisor position
o Reporting lines, duties, editorial oversight and any discussion of pay or workload implications.
4. Any conflict of interest declarations, disclosures or management plans referencing Ms Adena’s roles as Senior Advisor and Editor, or how any actual, potential or perceived conflict has been assessed or managed.
Yours faithfully,
Lucky Charm
Good afternoon
On 23 June 2025, the Australian National University (the University)
received your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
The University has taken your request to be as follows:
‘Background: Ms Adena has served as Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor
since early 2024. In early 2025, she appeared in On Campus with her own
editorial introduction as Editor of On Campus. This request seeks to
clarify how this Editor role was created, whether it was formally approved
or recruited, what financial arrangements exist, and how any potential
conflict of interest has been managed.
Specifically, I request access to all documents, whether formal or
informal, for the period 1 January 2024 to present, including but not
limited to:
1. Any documents related to the creation, recruitment, appointment or
engagement of Ms Adena as Editor of On Campus, including:
o Position descriptions, business cases, recruitment or appointment
papers, selection reports, approvals and contracts
o Any justification for combining or creating this editorial role in
addition to her Senior Advisor duties
o Any documents showing whether a competitive process was undertaken
or an exemption was granted.
2. Any documents provided to or generated by the Recruitment Approval
Committee (RAC) regarding the Editor role or Ms Adena’s dual roles.
3. All communications (including emails, Signal messages, instant
messages, Teams chats, handwritten notes, meeting notes) between the
Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Media and Communications, Human Resources,
Finance or other relevant areas discussing:
o Ms Adena’s appointment as Editor of On Campus
o The rationale for her introduction as Editor while holding the
Senior Advisor position
o Reporting lines, duties, editorial oversight and any discussion of
pay or workload implications.
4. Any conflict of interest declarations, disclosures or management
plans referencing Ms Adena’s roles as Senior Advisor and Editor, or how
any actual, potential or perceived conflict has been assessed or managed’.
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500132.
Processing Timeframe
The statutory time frame for processing your request is 30 calendar days
from day after the date your request was received by the University. You
should therefore expect a decision from us by 23 July 2025.
This period of 30 days may be extended if we need to consult third
parties, impose a charge or for other reasons. We will advise you in
writing if this happens.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if
you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact. If you have
any questions regarding your request, please feel free to contact the FOI
Team via the functional email [1][ANU request email].
The FOI Team’s workload is currently at very high levels due the
unprecedented volume of FOI requests.
We are using our best endeavors to process all requests expeditiously
however there may be some slippage due to the current workload. We will
keep in touch with you and advise if there are any significant delays,
and, will, if necessary, seek extensions as permitted by the Act.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
Scholarly Information Services
The Australian National University
Email: [2][ANU request email]
Web: [3]https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider
Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[ANU request email]
2. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
3. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Dear Lucky Charm
We refer to the above matter.
We are currently undertaking searches. In the course of those searches it
has become apparent that there will be a necessity to consult with third
parties in relation to the release of personal information.
Accordingly, pursuant to s. 15(6) of the FOI Act, the time for responding
to the request is extended by a further 30 days. This means the response
is due by 22 August 2025.
Regards
ANU Freedom Of Information Unit
E: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider
Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Dear Lucky Star,
Attached is correspondence in relation to the above FOI Request.
Regards,
ANU Freedom Of Information Unit
E: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider
Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...