Thread by @oz_bandicoot

It’s become clearer that the confusion surrounding the @ourANU “voluntary separations” 2020 (#ANUVS2020) arises from recent experience.
The last two separation programs from #ANU (2013? & 2017?) were Voluntary Early Retirement Schemes (VERS). 1/8...

A VERS is approved by the Tax Office and has age restrictions. See:
ato.gov.au/Individuals/Wo…
@ourANU has now made it clear it is NOT doing this, this time. 2/8

Info about #ANUVS2020 has not been clearly spelled out on the @ourANU financial health webpage.
Despite the fact that there is a section on voluntary separations.
anu.edu.au/covid-19-advic…
3/8

A couple of years ago, Uni Canberra did a voluntary separation scheme open to all, payments were similar to redundancy entitlements, but there was NO preferential tax treatment. Redundancies (voluntary or forced) usually attract some sort of tax reduction ... 4/8

Details on taxation of termination payments found here:
ato.gov.au/Business/Your-…
We know @ourANU may offer genuine redundancies due to financial reasons. (It’s allowed in the EA) #ANUVS2020 5/8

I’d like to see @VC_ANU / @cosmicpinot guarantee that staff who “voluntarily separate” will be treated as genuine redundancies and paid out in accordance with the EA. This shouldn’t be up to the “goodwill” of anyone. #ANUVS2020 6/8

Why isn’t @NTEUACT calling for this?
It’s the unions job to protect entitlements.
We know @ourANU has budgeted $50m for this. (I only tag NTEU for your benefit, dear followers, they’ve blocked me so don’t see my tweets). They won’t unblock until I stop criticising. 7/ 8

I’m unlikely to stop criticising #NTEUANU any time soon.
I think there’s probably more to say on #ANUVS2020... but that’ll do for now. 8/8

Whoops! (9/9)
In my experience as @NTEUACT Divsion Secretary for four years (2015-2019), @ourANU has *always* honoured redundancy payments faithfully.
I’d just like @VC_ANU/ @cosmicpinot / mgt to make this as clear as it possibly can be to avoid #ANUVS2020 confusion. 🙏👍

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