Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) chief commissioner Peter Coaldrake has resigned from his position, effective May 10, 2024.
Coaldrake said with the Universities Accord moving into the implementation phase, it was time for new leadership at the higher education regulator.
“Despite the many challenges at hand and those ahead, Australia continues to have a strong higher education system by international standards, and a strong system needs a robust regulatory framework. TEQSA has an essential role in protecting the quality and integrity of our system,” he said.
“Neither of those are guaranteed in a world of AI, and nor should we underestimate the various other influences which could weaken the cache of an Australian degree qualification or university.
“I would like to warmly acknowledge the efforts and professionalism of all TEQSA staff. It has been a privilege to work alongside my fellow commissioners.”
Professor Coaldrake was appointed by former education minister Dan Tehan in 2020, replacing Nick Saunters. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career in higher education, having served as vice-chancellor and CEO of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) from 2003 to 2017.
A dual Fulbright scholar, he is also a former chair of Universities Australia and the governing board of the OECD’s then-higher education group. In October 2018, Coaldrake was appointed by the Education minister to conduct a review of Higher Education Provider Category Standards.
Coaldrake led a review into trust and transparency in the Queensland government that led to their recently implemented proactive release scheme.
Education Minister Jason Clare indicated a new chief commissioner will be appointed in due course, with an acting chief commissioner to take the helm upon Coldrake’s departure.
TEQSA has concreted existing leadership too, with the appointment of Mary Russell as CEO for a five-year term.
Russell has been acting in the role since June last year, following the departure of Alistair Maclean after two years.
Russell joined TEQSA as executive director of regulatory operations in 2022. In this role, she has led the regulatory teams that manage higher education provider registration, course accreditation, compliance and regulatory risk assessments. Before joining TEQSA, she was assistant ombudsman for dispute resolution at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
She held executive roles at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for 6 years, including as state manager for Victoria, national manager of notifications and national manager of regulatory risk strategy.
Russell has served as chair and member of regulatory boards, concurrently with roles as a health practitioner and a tertiary educator. She has extensive experience in university teaching, curriculum development and delivery. She completed a PhD in health sciences in 2009.
“I know all of us at TEQSA are going to greatly miss Professor Coaldrake’s leadership and generous and wise counsel. We wish Peter all the best,” Russell said.
“As the agency’s CEO, I look forward to continuing to work with our Commissioners, staff and wider sector to ensure that TEQSA’s work continues to assure the quality of Australian higher education for the benefit of students, employers and the wider Australian community.”
Commissioner Joan Cooper has agreed to extend her term on the commission for up to a year to ensure continuity while a new Chief Commissioner is found. Commissioners Adrienne Nieuwenhuis and Steve Somogyi continue in their roles.
READ MORE:
Exploited labour of casual staff at Australia’s universities
