Independent MLA Thomas Emerson is calling for the chief executive of the Canberra Institute of Technology to step down, following questions over disclosures linked to her previous role.

Dr Margot McNeill is under scrutiny after it was revealed she did not inform the CIT board about misconduct investigations from her time at TAFE NSW.

The ACT Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts and Administration Committee is currently examining the recruitment process that led to her appointment. Documents released by the committee show inconsistencies in statutory declarations made by Dr McNeill to the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

Mr Emerson said the declarations raised serious concerns about judgment and transparency.

“Dr McNeill made a statutory declaration indicating there was no information that may impact on the public’s confidence in her, despite knowing about TAFE NSW’s misconduct findings against her,” he said.

“This shows extremely poor judgment at best, and calculated deception at worst.”

The committee heard the misconduct investigation began in May 2024, with initial findings provided to Dr McNeill in September 2025. Despite this, a statutory declaration signed after December 2025 stated there was no information that could affect public confidence in her suitability.

A later declaration, submitted after the matter became public, acknowledged the issue but referenced media reporting of her NSW Industrial Relations Commission case rather than the underlying misconduct findings.

Mr Emerson said the situation was undermining confidence in the institution and called on Dr McNeill to resign.

“It’s time for Dr McNeill to prioritise what’s best for CIT and step down from her role as CEO,” he said.

He said the issue also raised broader concerns about governance at CIT, following previous integrity issues involving former leadership.

“CIT’s reputation and proper functioning are under serious threat,” he said.

“The interests of staff and students at CIT need to come first.”

Mr Emerson said the board needed to take responsibility for maintaining public confidence, warning the situation pointed to deeper structural problems.

“We need to look at why CIT’s governance arrangements have failed so spectacularly, and what reforms are needed to keep this from happening in the future,” he said.