University of Wollongong (UOW) Chancellor Michael Still has formally resigned from the university's governing council while the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) continues its public inquiry into governance and procurement practices at the institution. The resignation comes after weeks of public hearings examining allegations involving senior university officials, consultancy contracts and conflict-of-interest management.
Mr Still had already stepped aside from his duties on 5 June 2026, saying it was in the university's best interests while ICAC conducted Operation Scandi, a wide-ranging investigation into governance at UOW. Following his decision to stand aside, Greg West was appointed Acting Chancellor to ensure continuity of leadership during the inquiry.
ICAC is investigating several matters involving the university. These include allegations that governance recruitment processes may have been improperly influenced, questions over consultancy work awarded to Aspirall Consulting International, and whether conflicts of interest relating to the appointment of former interim vice-chancellor John Dewar and consultancy firm Korda Mentha were appropriately managed. The commission is investigating whether any public official partially or dishonestly exercised official functions but has not made any findings of corrupt conduct.
Evidence presented during recent hearings focused heavily on governance practices and the management of conflicts of interest within the university. Counsel assisting ICAC questioned witnesses about procurement decisions, oversight responsibilities and whether appropriate governance processes were followed when consultants were engaged. Those hearings have attracted significant public attention because of UOW's status as one of Australia's leading regional universities.
Mr Still has consistently denied wrongdoing. Throughout previous parliamentary inquiries and the ICAC proceedings, he has maintained that decisions were made in accordance with appropriate governance processes and that conflicts of interest were properly declared and managed. His resignation does not represent a finding of misconduct, and the ICAC inquiry remains ongoing.
The University of Wollongong has reiterated that it is cooperating fully with the corruption watchdog and will continue supporting the inquiry. University officials have said the institution remains focused on delivering education, research and student services while governance matters are examined independently by ICAC.
The inquiry was launched after a NSW parliamentary review into university governance recommended closer scrutiny of UOW's leadership and decision-making processes. ICAC's public hearings are expected to continue before the commission prepares its final report. Any recommendations relating to prosecutions, disciplinary action or governance reforms will only be made after all evidence has been considered. Until then, no adverse findings have been made against Mr Still or any other individual involved in the inquiry.
