University executives who spent $127,000 on a lavish-send off for a departing vice-chancellor have been labelled out of touch.
Monash University threw the flashy party at the National Gallery of Victoria for Margaret Gardner, now the Governor of Victoria.
Professor Gardner is said to have made a significant contribution and impact during her nine years as former Monash University president and vice-chancellor, including elevating the university’s international standing, performance and community engagement.
The July party included a three-course meal, flowing drinks and performances by singer Kate Ceberano and and Joe Camilleri, both of whom have long-running connections to the university.
In documents released to the National Tertiary Education Union, the party in the NGV’s great hall cost $127,134.
The union's Monash branch president Ben Eltham said the costly celebrations showed how out of touch university executives have become.
He said union members at Monash University were accused of misconduct for minor infractions on spending, including one woman who handed over an $11 present at a university function.
"This year we've got students sitting on the floor in lecture theatres, we've got overcrowded classrooms and we've got staff facing allegations of financial misconduct for minor infractions," Dr Eltham told AAP.
"We're not saying that she shouldn't have got to have a farewell - but a do like this, just highlights the inequality and really the governance failures of the sector."
It comes as the university is fighting a multimillion dollar wage theft claim with its casual academics in the Federal Court.
A spokesperson for Monash University said planning and procurement followed all university approval protocols.
"The event was a celebration of achievement for Professor Gardner, and an opportunity to acknowledge ... current and former university staff, education, research and engagement partners," they said in a statement.
During Prof Gardner's tenure the university rose from outside the top 100 to be placed among the world’s top-50 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 and US News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2022-23.
AAP sought comment from Prof Gardner through her office, which declined saying she was a guest and did not have anything to do with the party planning.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto said he had enormous respect for the governor but suggested financial pressures on the university sector meant the price tag didn’t pass the pub test.
“The amount of money spent on that I think most Victorians would be saying that probably wasn't appropriate at this time,” he told reporters at state parliament.
Australian universities are largely funded through government research and teaching grants and student fees supported through the Commonwealth's Higher Education Loan Program.
Other funding sources include state government funding, overseas student fees, investment earnings and income from contract research and consultancy.
The Victorian government said universities were independent and the farewell dinner was a matter for Monash University.
