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experienced aNd committed Nteu au members

We are a team of dynamic and experienced trade unionists wanting to contribute to AU's industrial future to create a better workplace, one that is shaped by you. We believe in developing strong networks of unionists empowered to advocate for themselves and others. 

If elected, we will:

  • Work to enforce manageable workloads as per your rights under the new EA.
  • Enforce the rights to reclassification of professional staff and provide support in exercising that right.
  • Advocate for those in precarious employment to be paid adequately and given opportunities for more secure work.
  • Create a more visible and vibrant union-driven workplace culture that supports connection and collective participation.


And we're not stopping there: implenting the new EA, building an HSR network to protect you from psychosocial hazards, and demanding fairness and transparency in how Management makes decisions.


We ask for your support to create a better industrial future for all of us. Working Together. Winning Together.

This is an (old fashioned) postal election. So please ensure your ballots are returned as soon as you get them in the mail, as they need to reach the AEC before the vote closes.

Virginie Masson – nominee for Branch President and National Councillor
Jess Pacella – elected (unopposed) VP Academic and nominee for National Councillor
Liz Claessen – nominee  for VP General Staff and National Councillor
Nick Warner – nominee for Branch Secretary and National Councillor.

Branch Officer Candidates

Virginie Masson

for Branch President

For over 16 years, I have served our members as an elected union official at local, state, or national levels. I am standing for re-election as Branch President and National Councillor. With your support, I will continue fighting to advance your rights, protect your jobs, and strengthen our Branch. Always in members' interests. Always on your terms.

As Branch President, I have conducted numerous area meetings to understand members' needs, advising them on their rights and negotiating with management to find the best path forward. I have represented dozens of academic and professional staff through probation, performance, and misconduct matters, as well as workload and underpayment issues. Across all my advocacy work, I have resolved most matters through negotiation before they escalate to formal disputes or costly court proceedings, because the best outcome is one reached swiftly and on your terms.

I led the last UoA bargaining round, spearheaded the successful campaign against trimesters, and if re-elected, will keep pursuing underpayment of casuals, unreasonable workloads, fair classification for professional staff, and the establishment of Health and Safety Representative workgroups for Adelaide University.

A Branch President must also be a strong voice at the National Council, ensuring local member priorities shape broader NTEU policy. I believe the national and local agendas are strongest when they work in step with each other, and I have worked hard to make sure our Branch's concerns are heard and reflected at every level. If re-elected, I will push for meaningful change in university governance and advocate for a thorough review of research and teaching funding.


Liz Claessen

for Branch Vice-President (General)

As a proud unionist, I am nominating for Vice-President (General Staff) because I believe in a strong and active branch that stands up for members and delivers real outcomes. Through my work in the Adelaide branch, including leading the Under 40s group and supporting the design of branch specific campaigns, I have focused on building connection, encouraging participation, and ensuring that newer and younger union members have a strong voice in our union. With a particular focus on advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university, I am committed to representing the interests of professional and academic staff with integrity and fairness. I understand the importance of collective action, respectful advocacy, and member-led decision-making, and I want to help strengthen our branch, so it remains responsive, inclusive, and effective.

If elected, I will work collaboratively with branch committee colleagues to support members, promote engagement, and contribute to campaigns that protect jobs, conditions, and the future of our sector. I am passionate about the role our union plays in defending workplace rights and creating positive change

Jess Pacella

for Branch Vice-President (Academic)

I am nominating in this election as Vice-President (Academic), and National Councillor because I am committed to defending and advancing the rights and conditions of all staff in the tertiary education sector. With over a decade of experience as an academic, from insecurely to securely employed, I understand the challenges we face — from increasing workloads, job insecurity and fair pay rises in a post-merger environment.
 

I believe in a strong and present union that listens to its members, and acts with transparency and integrity. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for fair workloads, secure jobs and fair pay.

 

Together, let’s build a better university.

Nick Warner

for Branch Secretary

I am Co-Branch Secretary of the AU NTEU Branch (previously Branch Secretary at the UofA Branch) and a National Councillor and am seeking re-election.

I am a committed trade unionist and strongly believe that workplace health and safety is core union business along with defending and enhancing our workplace rights which can only be achieved through collective action.

One of the fundamental tasks of a Branch Secretary is to assist and enable the Branch Committee to perform its duties to the Branch membership. It is vitally important that we have a Branch Committee that recognises and acts upon their powers and responsibilities and I am fully committed to supporting the Committee to do that.
 
As a National Councillor, I have represented the Branch (AU and UofA) and the SA Division for nine years. I am vocal in championing the interests of members from the smaller Divisions at National Council in counterbalance to the influence of the larger Divisions.  I would, if re-elected, relish the opportunity to continue to do so for the next two years.

Branch Committee Candidates

Tyson Felix-Smith

As a dedicated and active member of our University community, I seek your support for my nomination as a Branch Committee Member for the Adelaide University branch.

My experience in health and wellbeing initiatives is extensive. I am a current member of several networks and committees, including, but not limited to, various health and wellbeing networks, and an elected member of the Unisuper Consultative Committee. I was also an active member of the NTEU Campaign Committee for the former University of Adelaide branch, as well as an incumbent NTEU Branch Committee member.

I am committed to the welfare of our University Community. Over the years, I have driven several wellbeing initiatives for staff and students and continue to be motivated to increase awareness around mental health measures, environmental justice issues and workers' rights, particularly regarding rights and entitlements for union and non-union members.

Florian ploeckl

I am the current co-VP Academic of the NTEU AU Branch and am standing for election as an ordinary member of the Branch Committee.

As co-VP Academic, and previously VP Academic of the UoA Branch, I have worked hard to fight for what matters most, including helping defeat the AU Trimester Academic Calendar, resisting the creeping corporatisation of role statements and teaching evaluations, pushing back against pointless compliance exercises, and strengthening the effectiveness and internal functioning of the Branch Committee to advocate for all staff members.

The merger made clear that professional staff need, and deserve, a much stronger voice. I am committed to representing both academic and professional staff with equal energy and resolve.

If elected, I will work to: protect academic and intellectual freedom; strengthen relationships between academic and professional staff; fight unreasonable workloads that erode work-life balance; demand clear, specific position descriptions for professional staff; and help all staff focus on the work they signed up for, rather than losing time to box-ticking, unnecessary paperwork, and Byzantine processes.

I proudly endorse, and am endorsed by, Virginie Masson, Jess Pacella, Liz Claessen, and Nick Warner to lead the AU Branch.

Priya Chacko

I am an Associate Professor of International Politics in the School of Society and Culture. I have been a member of the NTEU since I was a PhD student and have served as an Ordinary Member and Vice President of the University of Adelaide Branch Committee.

I am seeking to re-join the Branch Committee as an Ordinary Member because during this period of merger and transition, the Adelaide Branch has a rare opportunity to transform the way universities have been run.

Corporatisation and managerialism have produced a governance crisis at Australian universities, resulting in extensive wage theft, precarious employment, inflated senior management salaries, non-transparent decision making and unaccountable and unrepresentative University Councils.

As a member of the Branch Committee, I will work with my colleagues to address these pathologies while challenging management practices that are corrosive to academic freedom, increase academic workloads without compensation, are harmful to staff well-being and further casualise the workforce.

Victoria Fielding

I am again proud to stand as a candidate in the delegate elections for the Adelaide University branch.

I am an active unionist and have been an activist in the wider labour movement for over 20 years.
I have previously been the casual representative on the UniSA branch of the NTEU, which included a stint as South Australia’s casual representative on the national casuals committee, fighting for more secure work for precarious staff. More recently I have been involved in establishing the NTEU Adelaide University diversity, equity and inclusion sub-committee, with our first agenda focused on working with university management to address structural racism at the university.

Together we are stronger.

Dr. Djordje (George) Stefanovic

I am a Senior Lecturer at the School of Society and Culture. If elected, I will work to ensure that the Union represents interests and concerns of the Union Members.

I glad to endorse, Virginie Masson, Jess Pacella, Liz Claessen, and Nick Warner to lead the AU Branch.

I am particularly interested to work on the following issues: 
- Union members should have a job security in the post-merger period.
- Teaching workloads need to be set at a level that leaves sufficient time for intensive research work, as appropriate for a G8 University.
- Minority union members should be protected from harassment and discrimination
- Promotion process should be transparent and merit-driven.
- Salary increases should reflect the cost-of-living increases.

James Donovan

I am a filmmaker and cinematographer who has worked in the university sector since 2016, and I am seeking election as a Branch Committee Ordinary Member. I am a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and a strong voice for those around me.

During the merger, management has made conditions worse and failed to understand its obligations to us - the people who have created this new university. Professional staff have held up their end of the bargain, and it has never been more important to hold management to account. In my area, I’ve been fighting to make sure that we don’t go backwards.

I’ve helped many professional staff engage with the NTEU - the best thing you can do in uncertain times is join your union. We are stronger when we organise together, and I’m looking to give back by amplifying your voice in the NTEU.

SA Division Assistant Secretary

Fletcher O'Leary

for SA Division Assistant Secretary

I’m seeking your support for the role of Division Assistant Secretary in South Australia.

I am a professional staff member at Flinders University where I have worked for the last five years. I have previously worked and student at University of Adelaide. I am committed to being part of a responsive, active union.

I have been a Branch Vice President and acting Branch President at Flinders University and will be Branch President at Flinders University for the 2026-2028 term. I have also been a National Councillor for Flinders University since 2022.

I am running because of a belief in the importance of organising and a commitment to Branch and member-led union work. We can build an effective union and encourage members to take on a more active role with the right mix of resourcing, skills, and support.

 I think there is value in having a Flinders-based Assistant Secretary as we have just started this round of bargaining at our University.

At the same time, I want to support the task of building a strong union culture across the merged university. Adelaide University is a workplace that will need a strong group union reps and activists, as well as a well-supported Branch Committee, to support and organise members through the continuing disruptions, changes, and knock-on impacts caused by merger.  

You can contact me at fletch-for-das@proton.me with any questions that you have about my experience or what I want to do in the role.

Endorsements and supporters

  • Prof Derek Abbott
  • Emeritus Professor Greg McCarthy - NTEU Life Member and former SA Division Secretary - "Dear Virginie, I strongly support you and your NTEU colleagues in the upcoming election ,which comes at a critical time in the new Adelaide University for both its academic and professional staff."
  • A/Prof Qazi Haque - "Virginie Masson and her colleagues have demonstrated strong leadership and a genuine commitment to representing staff interests. I am confident that they will be effective advocates for a fair, collegial, and inclusive university community."
  • Dr George Stamatescu - "I fully endorse the nominations of this committed and effective leadership team. These are the people you want in your corner."
  • Dr Cameron Raynes
  • Cameron McTiernan
  • A/Prof Stephanie McWhinnie
  • Dr Bonita Mason - "I am very happy that Jess and this team is standing up in the NTEU elections. I have admired and appreciated the quality of the local and broader advocacy and representation of this cross-foundation university team, and wholeheartedly endorse them."
  • Mark Kennedy
  • Prof Melissa Nursey-Bray
  • Prof Andrew Abell
  • A/Prof Jim Hancock - "I have seen the team’s fearless and effective advocacy and representation"
  • A/Prof Ryan O'Handley
  • Ashleigh Mercury
  • Becci Love
  • May Loke
  • Tyson Felix-Smith - "I am pleased to endorse Virginie Masson, Liz Claessen, Nick Warner and Jess Pacella for election to their respective positions within the NTEU.
    I have had the pleasure of working alongside them in both my university role and on union matters. Throughout that time, they have consistently demonstrated a thoughtful, principled approach that places equity, respect, and fairness at the centre of their work. They listen carefully, engage, and are committed to representing members with integrity and professionalism."
  • Dr Robert Boucaut
  • Dr Kim Munro
  • Prof Firmin Doko-Tchatoka
  • Dr Brydie Kosmina
  • A/Prof Georgina Drew - "Our union helps keep universities accountable and I trust this team to continue the fight for fairness and workplace rights."
  • Prof Ben Cazzolato 
  • Dr Ruby Nguyen
  • Dr Lingyu Kong - "Virginie and her colleagues combine deep institutional knowledge with a genuine commitment to members. They have my support."
  • Dr Emiliano Carlevaro
  • Dr Raul Barreto -  "I endorse Virginie Masson, Liz Claessen, Nick Warner and Jess Pacella without reservation. As a twenty year colleague of Virginie's, I trust her judgement unequivocally. As such, I afford the entire ticket with similar confidence."
  • Emily Chambers
  • Prof Justin O’Connor
  • Sophie Dahlenburg-Grzeczkowski - "I fully endorse and stand behind this team of wonderful leaders."
  • Dr Jeanne-Marie Viljoen
  • Dr Florian Ploeckl
  • A/Prof Priya Chacko
  • Dr Victoria Fielding - "I am pleased to endorse Virginie Masson and her team to lead the Adelaide University NTEU branch. Virginie is a fierce and determined unionist who works incredibly hard to gain the best outcomes for staff for the betterment of individuals and the collective."
  • Dr Djordje (George) Stefanovic
  • Alisa Cameron - "Virginie is a tireless and passionate advocate for all within the University community"
  • Dr Joshua Curtis - "I heartily endorse Virginie and the team. Over years working with them in various contexts I have been consistently impressed with their tenacity, sensitivity, professionalism and, importantly, results. They have an extraordinary depth of commitment, understanding and knowledge, instilling total confidence."
  • James Donovan
  • Dr Fiona O'Neill
  • Sandra Goodwin
  • Prof Greg Metha - "Delighted to support Virginie for Branch President. She is a tireless advocate for all of us and did a brilliant job delivering the new EA."
  • A/Prof Janice Loftus
  • Prof Paul Babie
  • A/Prof Mandar Oak
  • Dr Fiona Suwana - “Happy to support Jess who always has a great mindset and heart for better system and institution in Higher Education’
  • Dr Sherif Haggag
  • A/Prof Benito Cao
  • A/Prof Xin Deng
  • Dr Jacob Wong - "I have seen Virginie protect the rights and entitlements of staff members for years, both at the department/school level and the faculty level.  She has brought forth detailed information that has often resulted in clarification or reassessment of arguments from university leadership.  Her relentless effort to keep abreast of university activities, her ability to remain organized and her knowledge of economics enables her to present calculated yet compassionate views of the state our employment situation.  Knowing that I have Virginie and her team looking out for me allows me to focus on my work and I cannot be more grateful for their effort.  Her team gets my unreserved endorsement."
  • Dr Peter Atkinson
  • Daniel Snook
  • A/Prof Nina Maadad
  • John Murphy
  • Kurt Watson
  • Dr Genevieve Knight - "This team give reasoned and well articulated concerns that help to build common agreement and support."
  • Prof Peter Burdon
  • Anthony Kosturjak - “I’ve seen firsthand the team members’ professionalism and strong advocacy, they’re exactly who I’d want in my corner when it comes to workplace rights.”
  • A/Prof Jess White
  • Mairead Hooper
  • A/Prof Craig Johns
  • Dr Azhar Iqbal - "I am pleased to endorse Virginie Masson for Branch President. Having known Virginie for many years, I have always been impressed by her integrity, sound judgement and thoughtful approach to complex issues. Her strong commitment to fairness, collegiality and the interests of university staff makes her exceptionally well suited to represent members during this important period of change. She has my full support."
  • Dr Olga Muzychenko
  • A/Prof Kath Dooley
  • Dr Jessica Ford
  • Dr Jo Mignone - "Happy to endorse Jess Pacella, as a colleague I’ve witnessed them always willing to ask the hard questions."
  • Dr Chloe Cannell
  • Dr Kate Toone
  • Scott Letton - "Nick Warner and Virgine Masson have proven to be genuine advocates for both NTEU members and the wider university community. Their representation doesn’t just stop at the union level; they are proactive in the HSW space too. Where many would fold at the negotiation table, Nick and Virginie hold the line so a mutual outcome can be reached. In a time where accountability in management is a rare commodity, we are lucky to have authentic representation like Nick and Virginie and the reason they have my support."
  • Idris Martin
  • Ella Leopardi
  • Stephanie Rogers
  • Dr Thomas Wanner - "NTEU and Virginie have provided amazing support and have done amazing work for many years but especially during the AU merger. Strongly endorse Virginie and her team."
  • Jade Cheshire
  • Jvaughn Duggan
  • Caitlin McCrorey
  • A/Prof Ross Young
  • A/Prof Katrina Jaworski - "Vote for a team and members like Jess Pacella who are committed to equity, transparency and change for the purpose of improving the working conditions of all staff."
  • Dr Michael Bentham
  • Sara Drca
  • Lucy Small-Pearce
  • Neelu Sharma