By Ben McKay

After a chastening tenure under former politician Julie Bishop, the Australian National University has turned to the steady hand of a retired senior public servant.

Gordon de Brouwer, who completed a PhD in economics at ANU and returned as a professor, said he was “deeply honoured” to take the reins as chancellor of one of Australia’s most prestigious universities this week.

Dr de Brouwer was most recently the Public Service Commissioner, but has also served as secretary of the environment department and in senior roles at prime minister and cabinet, Treasury, and the Reserve Bank.

“Dr de Brouwer has the experience, judgement and integrity that ANU needs as we look to the future with confidence,” acting Pro-Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe said.

His appointment comes after Ms Bishop ended an acrimonious six-year stint in the role by resigning in May.

The former deputy prime minister’s tenure included a $250 milion cost-cutting program which was criticised by auditors, bullying allegations by an ANU council member – denied by Ms Bishop – and a no-confidence vote by unionised staff.

In June, interim vice chancellor Rebekah Brown told a Senate committee the reputational damage to the institution from Ms Bishop’s time was in the order of $100 million.

Dr de Brouwer – who holds an Order of Australia and is also a French knight – becomes the 14th person to hold the role since the university’s foundation in 1946.

“I am committed to helping ANU build confidence in its future, with strong governance, a compelling shared strategy and a culture in which our people can do their best work,” he said.

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