RMIT University chancellor Ziggy Switkowski has announced his?intention to?quit amid?a?row over his appointment to a?controversial casino company.

Dr Switkowski will step down by the end of?October ¡°to?focus upon his?recently announced new board responsibilities¡±, according to a? from the RMIT council.

The move comes less than a fortnight after Dr Switkowski was named chairman of Crown Resorts, Australia¡¯s largest gaming and entertainment group. Crown faces the potential loss of its Melbourne casino licence after a New South Wales inquiry exposed allegations of money laundering and ruled it unsuitable as operator of a new Sydney casino.

Victoria¡¯s royal commission into Crown¡¯s Melbourne operations, which is due to report in October, has been told that the company owes the state as much as A$480?million (?257?million) in underpaid taxes. A royal commission into the company¡¯s Perth casino is?due to?report next March.

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An circulated by the RMIT branch of the National Tertiary Education Union demanded Dr Switkowski¡¯s resignation. ¡°Crown Casino has been shown time and again to be a socially destructive force,¡± it?says.

¡°Given RMIT values include being ¡®agents of positive change for our students, the community and beyond¡¯, it is simply untenable that you continue in your role of RMIT chancellor or as a council member whilst chair of Crown Resorts Board.¡±

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Dr Switkowski¡¯s decision to leave comes less than three months after former Australian deputy prime minister Mark Vaile relinquished an appointment as chancellor of the University of Newcastle amid a furore over his chairmanship of coal company Whitehaven.

Dr Switkowski said his 11 years as RMIT chancellor had been a pleasure and honour. ¡°I?will leave with a great sense of pride at what was achieved in that time but, more so, excitement in what lies ahead under the leadership of incoming vice-chancellor Professor Alec Cameron,¡± he said.

Deputy chancellor Janet Latchford said Dr Switkowski would be missed. ¡°[He] has been a force for positive change and an influential voice for RMIT and the sector across government and industry.¡±

The council said a search was under way for a new chancellor. Ms Latchford will act in the role if a replacement has not been appointed by the time Dr Switkowski leaves.

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john.ross@timeshighereducation.com