Elections

Part 5 of the La Trobe University Act 2009, the University’s Council (Elections) Statute 2016 and Council (Elections) Regulations 2016 require that elections be held to fill the Council and Board positions, as prescribed:

• One member to be elected by and from the staff of the University for a term of three (3) years
• One member to be elected by and from the students of the University for a term of one (1) year

Current elected representatives

The current Staff position on the La Trobe University Council is held by:

• Andrea Carson, a political scientist and an Associate Professor (Journalism) in the department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, for a term of 3 years commencing 13 September 2022 to 12 September 2025.

The current Student position on the La Trobe University Council is held by:

• Ansh Verma, a Bachelor of Business student for a term commencing 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Council

The Council is the governing body of the University with responsibility for the general direction and superintendence of the University and may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University, subject to the Act, the University Statutes and University Regulations.

In broad terms, Council appoints and monitors the performance of the Vice-Chancellor, approves the mission, direction and strategic plan of the University and oversees the management and performance of the University. The responsibilities, powers and functions of Council are set out in sections 8 and 9 of the Act.

Council comprises ex-officio members, government and council appointed members, and elected members.

All Council members must act in the interest of the whole University and in accordance with the requirements of the Council members rights and responsibilities document.

Staff election to Council – Term 13 September 2025 to 12 September 2028

Following the close of electronic ballots for the election of a staff member to the La Trobe University Council, Raelene Wilding, Head of Department (Social Inquiry), School of Humanities and Social Sciences has been declared elected to Council of La Trobe University for the term commencing 13 September 2025 to 12 September 2028.

The election was undertaken by an independent party and the full results of the election are now available here.

Student election to Council – Vacancy 2026

Following the close of electronic ballots for the election of a student member to the La Trobe University Council, Ansh Verma, a Bachelor of Business student, has been declared elected to this position for the term commencing 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

The election was undertaken by an independent party and the full results of the election are now available here.

Staff and students considering nominating in the future for these positions are requested to read the following information:

Under the Regulations set out in section 31 – Prohibition on external campaign support, a candidate in an election must not use the money or any in-kind support of any other person or any organisation or other entity to support in any way the candidate’s election campaign.

For further information email the Council elections team.