The Chancellor is appointed by Council under section 32 of the Australian National University Act. The Chancellor’s principal responsibilities are to provide appropriate leadership to the Council and to ensure the Council fulfils its obligations under the Council Charter. The Chancellor also has specific responsibilities to:

• chair Council meetings, and other governance-level meetings, and to facilitate discussion in each meeting
• represent the views of Council to the University community, government, business, civil society and the public
• maintain a frequent dialogue with the Vice-Chancellor and executive management, serving as a primary link between the Council and management, and affording continuity between Council meetings
• work with the Vice-Chancellor on Council’s requirements for information to contribute effectively to the Council decision-making process and monitor effective implementation of Council decisions
• preside at ceremonial occasions of the University, including Conferring of Awards ceremonies.

Retirement of the Chancellor, Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC

The ANU Council, on 6 December 2019, unanimously and by acclamation resolved to acknowledge and thank, and formally record, that Professor Gareth Evans, after a decade of extraordinary service to ANU, left the role of Chancellor on 31 December 2019 as one of the great, most influential and committed ambassadors to have served the University.

Appointment of the new Chancellor, the Hon Julie Bishop

On 26 July 2019, Council appointed the Hon Julie Bishop as the 13th, and first female, Chancellor for a three-year term, beginning on 1 January 2020. Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP was advised of Ms Bishop’s appointment on 30 July 2019.