Senate welcomed both Dr Lyndy Scott and Mr Lloyd Johnson to their first Senate meeting.

There are currently three vacant positions for lay Senate members on Senate that need to be filled. The Governance & Nominations Committee is in the process of addressing both these vacancies and the subsequent vacancies on Senate Committees, and will update Senate in due course.

The DVC (Corporate) Mr Ian Callahan and the Director, Finance Ms Julie Keene spoke briefly to Senate to highlight major items from the financial statements. Key points from their discussion included:

• The revaluation of the University’s assets has resulted in a significant impact on the balance sheet, at an increase of approximately $180m.
• The sale of the land at Forrestdale settled on Monday 19/02/2006. Due to revaluation, this is reflected more in the balance sheet than the profit and loss statement.
• The University has for the first time recognised annual leave accrual for academics. This has resulted in $1.8m of annual leave accrual.
• There was a surplus of $6.6m in 2006; a little higher than expected and the University remains finely balanced going forward.
• Accounts are currently under audit by the Office of the Auditor General. As at today, there have been no significant issues flagged. The audit work is expected to be finished by 23/02/2007.

The Chair moved to approve the financial statements, subject to the Office of the Auditor General finalising their report.

The DVC (Corporate), Mr Ian Callahan and the Director, Public Relations & Brand Marketing, Mr John LeCras spoke to this report.

In previous years, the content of the Annual Report has not been tabled at Senate. However, implementation of the new branding has seen a significant change in the report’s presentation. The Annual Report has been seen as an opportunity to assist with the launch of the new branding strategy.

The same processes have been followed for gathering content for the report, with the only change being in the visual format, and the enhanced use of imagery. The report no longer contains separate reports from each Deputy Vice-Chancellor, but this information has been combined in a “Year in Review” section to highlight University-wide achievements.

Senate congratulated Mr LeCras upon the excellent presentation of the document. The Vice Chancellor closed the report requesting Senate members forward any positive outcome or University achievement stories to Mr LeCras for inclusion in other marketing based documents.

The Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee, Her Honour Judge Kate O’Brien spoke to Senate. Key points from the report are as follows:

• The Committee has complied with its KPIs and is operating efficiently. The culture of risk management around the University has increased significantly with great compliance and ready acceptance of internal audit from management and staff. This has been exemplified by the number of ad hoc requests for advice.
• The Committee is acknowledged as being compliant with ‘Best Practice Group’ benchmarks as set by the ANAO.
• Of the 80 internal audit recommendations made, only 7 remained outstanding at the end of 2006 and these were actioned over the Christmas break.
• The Chair would like to recognise the excellent work of Sir William Heseltine in his role as Chair of the ARMC from 2003 to his retirement from Senate in 2005.
• The Office of Auditor General has increased its audit fee from $116,000 to $162,200, an increase of almost 40%. The increase was foreshadowed during 2006 but there has been no effective consultation on the size of the increase or its implementation.

Senate expressed concern at the size of fee increase and the lack of effective consultation in relation to imposing those fees on the University.

Senate noted the ARMC Annual report and resolved as follows:

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his written report, highlighting the following items:

• The ‘Discoverers Welcome’ brand launch is imminent, and will also include a revamp of the University’s web page.
• The sale of Forrestdale property progressed smoothly thanks to the excellent work of the DVC (Corporate) Mr Ian Callahan and Director, Corporate Services Mr Craig Spence. The newly established Investment Sub-committee of Resources Committee will consider recommendations for investment of the sale proceeds.
• The Agriculture Department move continues to progress, with work being done to finalise the location of the site.
• The University has been awarded $3.33m from the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. In addition, $1.5m has been received from the Capital Development Pool to fund construction at the Peel Campus.
• Associate Professor Lorraine Marshall and her team received a Carrick Award in the Flexible Learning and Teaching category for their development of the ‘Quick Skills modules’.
• The Chiropractic Clinic has achieved registered HBF provider status, which is an excellent reflection on the clinic’s staff and students.
• Dr Rowan Strong has been elected as a Fellow to the Royal Historical Society.

Senate resolved to formally express congratulations to both Associate Professor Lorraine Marshall and Dr Rowan Strong on their achievements. The VC also gave a short presentation to Senate, with key highlights including:

• 2006 has seen the highest levels of student load in the University’s history. In addition there has been a considerable improvement in graduate employment outcomes with the University moving from 6.8% below the State average in 2004 to only 1.7% below in 2005.
• Murdoch has received a record $35m in research funding for 2006, and ranks 8th in per FTE research funding (and is the highest ranked University without a medical school).
• Growth in non-Commonwealth Grant Scheme has continued. It is also of note that the University community has demonstrated an excellent cost containment culture, which has greatly assisted in managing to maintain a surplus.

At the end of his presentation, the VC opened a discussion on the possibility of the construction of a function centre at the South Street Campus. Senate members recognised the need for such a facility. The concept will receive further consideration through capital planning and Senate committee processes.

Senate noted the draft agenda for the retreat.

The Chancellor informed the Senate that a folder of background material and the finalised agenda for the Senate Retreat will be distributed in the week commencing 26/02/2006, and that the Saturday Retreat workshop sessions will be facilitated by Maurice Argento from Mainsheet.

Members of Senate were also asked to ensure that they complete and return the Self- Assessment Questionnaires that have been distributed.

Senate resolved, by unanimous vote of the members present, as follows:

Note: In accordance with section 25 of the Murdoch University Act, an absolute majority of Senate must ratify the amendment.

Senate noted the minutes of the Resources Committee meeting held on 14/02/2007. Senate resolved as follows: