Good afternoon,

On 9 July 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:

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), I request access to
documents held by The Australian National University relating to the
appointment of Mr Scott Pearsall to the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor
(International and Future Students) on an interim basis in 2024.

Specifically, I seek access to:

•       Documents (including emails, memos, meeting notes, or internal
correspondence) that outline the process followed for Mr Pearsall’s
interim appointment, including whether an open recruitment, internal EOI,
or direct appointment approach was used.

•       Documents that justify or explain the rationale for Mr Pearsall’s
selection, including any discussion of his qualifications or previous
roles within the University.

•       Any approvals, briefings, or delegations related to the duration
of the appointment, including discussion of why a term of approximately 15
months was considered appropriate for an “interim” role.

•       Documents that discuss why a formal recruitment process for a
substantive (ongoing) appointment was not conducted at the time, and why
it was not feasible or appropriate to go to market sooner.

•       Documents discussing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts
of interest associated with Mr Pearsall’s appointment, including any prior
working relationships with senior executives or previous involvement in
executive governance arrangements.

Your request has been assigned the case number 202500147.

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 8 August 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

University Governance Office

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 3 September 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...