# NSW university governance inquiry > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nsw-university-governance-inquiry > Updated: 2026-09-22T23:28:36.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. A New South Wales (NSW) government inquiry has identified systemic governance issues across the state’s university sector. The Standing Committee on Social Issues released a final report warning that significant reform is necessary to address declining transparency, the concentration of power in management, and the risks of increasing corporatisation. Committee chair Dr. Sarah Kaine noted that problems such as high executive salaries, controversial spending, and poor workplace culture are symptoms of deeper structural issues. The inquiry also highlighted the weakening of staff and student voices within these institutions. Specific institutions were scrutinized during the process. The inquiry expressed skepticism regarding claims of a financial crisis at the University of Newcastle, stating it remained ‘unconvinced’ by the university’s purported financial situation and noting discrepancies in how its financial position was presented. Additionally, the report flagged failings at the University of Wollongong and the University of Technology Sydney, calling for further scrutiny of the University of Wollongong’s commercial activities and its handling of staff cuts. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: NSW Government inquiry reveals systemic issues in university sector A NSW Government inquiry has exposed systemic governance failures, declining transparency, and rising corporatisation across the state’s university sector, calling for urgent structural reform. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-government-inquiry-reveals-systemic-issues-in-university-sector ### 2026-09-22: University of Newcastle financial claims questioned by NSW inquiry A NSW university governance inquiry expressed skepticism over claims of a financial crisis at the University of Newcastle, questioning the institution's accounting transparency and use of investment income. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-newcastle-financial-claims-questioned-by-nsw-inquiry --- Cite as: NSW university governance inquiry. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nsw-university-governance-inquiry