Julie Bishop has resigned as chancellor of Australian National University, stepping down seven months before her term was due to end.
Bishop, who took on the role in 2020, was expected to remain chancellor until December.
She informed both the university and the Albanese government of her resignation on Thursday evening.
In a statement obtained by the ABC, the Former Liberal MP said she felt “deeply privileged” to have led the university and described ANU as “truly a national treasure”.
“The higher education sector is at a crossroads of regulatory overreach in the governance of our institutions or autonomy and academic freedom,” she added.
“I fear the collateral from this regulatory overreach will be the next generation of students and staff.”
According to the Australian Financial Review, Bishop believed intervention by the higher education regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), in the running of the university council was unlawful.
Independent ACT senator David Pocock, who has publicly criticised the university’s governance, said Bishop’s resignation was in the “best interests of the ANU”.
“When things go so terribly wrong at the helm of such an important institution, especially one governed by Commonwealth law, there must be accountability,” he said.
“A number of processes including a review by the higher education regulator, TEQSA, are yet to conclude and need to be allowed to run their course.
“The voluntary undertaking to conduct an independent process to appoint the next Chancellor is very welcome and will hopefully help rebuild trust, confidence and better governance at our national university.”
Pocock also praised university staff and students for having “stood together in the face of poor leadership and governance”.
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