Sunday Times, 14 August 1994

LABOR MP PROBES UWA ACADEMIC'S SACKING

A Labor MP is investigating the controversial sacking of a
University of WA academic.

This week, Goldfields MP Mark Nevill tabled 18 questions in
Parliament about archaeologist Dr David Rindos' removal
from his research and teaching post last year.

Mr Nevill and his federal Goldfields counterpart, Graeme
Campbell, are unhappy at the treatment meted out to Dr
Rindos by UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Fay Gale.

Dr Rindos was refused a tenured position following two
inquiries into the archaeology department which finally led
to it being scrapped. 

The department's head, Professor Sandra Bowdler, with whom
Dr Rindos had a falling out, was stood down and asked to
explain her unorthodox managment practices and treatment of
students.

Professor Sandra Bowdler denied the claims against her and
said the problems in her department were due to Dr Rindos,
with whom she was dissatisfied.

Dr Rindos' sacking was first proposed by mathematician Dr
Mike Partis, who briefly headed the archaeology department
after Professor Bowdler had been stood down. 

In Parliament, Mr Nevill asked the Minister for Education
if Dr Partis, "a self-acknowledged friend of Professor
Bowdler," had been appointed to an office or position by
the Government.

Mr Nevill asked if a secret file about Dr Rindos had been
created by UWA. 

He also asked if the decision to remove Dr Rindos had been
made before formal steps to resolve the controversy had
even started.

"Is it correct that in denying tenure to Dr Rindos, UWA
considered allegedly false and non-academic matters in
camera?

"Has the disappearance of documents supporting Dr Rindos'
case from UWA files been investigated?"