Press Release,  24 February 1995

Dr David Rindos To Appeal To The University Visitor.

A ruling handed down in the West Australian Industrial
Commission on February 21 held that the University Visitor
is the appropriate jurisdiction for the case of wrongful
dismissal Dr David Rindos is bringing against the
University of Western Australia.  The University Visitor is
the Governor of Western Australia, Major-General Michael
Jeffrey. 

Dr Rindos said he certainly would not appeal the ruling.
Instead, he was very happy that his case, after being tied
up for 15 months in procedural motions brought by the
University, would finally be heard.

"The University have told us and the Industrial Commission
that the Visitor is the appropriate forum.  The Industrial
Commission has accepted their statement, so we will take up
the University's invitation and present our case to the
Visitor as we have been instructed," Dr Rindos said.

The Commissioner, R. N. George, ruled that under the
Industrial Relations Act (WA 1979) the Visitor "has a
general jurisdiction over all matters of dispute relating
to the internal affairs and management of the University"
which include "allegations of wrongful dismissal and
requests for reinstatement."

"After I became the first person ever denied tenure by UWA,
I received advice that the University could try to block me
from going to the Visitor on the grounds that my contract
had merely been terminated, and therefore that I was no
longer a member of the University.  So I went to the
Industrial Commission instead.  

"Last winter the University's QC, Mr Steytler, admitted to
the Commission that, in fact, I might well have been
dismissed and that I could therefore argue a case of
wrongful dismissal before the Visitor.  They said I should
go to the Visitor and the Industrial Commission agreed.  We
have already prepared much of our appeal.

"Rather oddly, at the very same time the Vice-Chancellor
was recommending in a different forum that the Visitor
should be stripped of all judicial functions -- including
those I am now about to use. 

"The great advantage for us, of course, in going to the
Visitor is that the issues raised by the over-all handling
of the problems in Archaeology at UWA can be considered. 
The Visitor, unlike the Industrial Commissioner, can hear
the most important issue of all: I believe we shall easily
prove that natural justice was denied me at every turn, and
therefor the decision of the Vice-Chancellor was grossly
unjust, harmed a totally innocent person, and should be set
aside.  I have done no wrong and certainly did not deserve
the sack. I acted at all times in the best interests of my
students, and indeed of academia itself.  It is wrong for
the University to have harmed my good name and reputation
in the way they have.

"Given that the University holds this appeal to be a purely
internal procedure, I also expect they will be willing to
provide my costs.  I am certain they wish to avoid the
appearance of using their huge, taxpayer-supplied,
financial resources in a manner that would disadvantage me
during an internal appeal. 

"I certainly welcome the opportunity UWA have given me to
place my full case before the public."