Former UTAS executive alleges ‘smear campaign’ after disclosing relationship

Former University of Tasmania human resources executive Allie House says she disclosed a personal relationship with another senior executive in good faith, only to see details of it circulated at work without notice.

House said the relationship was with Craig Barling, who resigned as UTAS deputy vice-chancellor for student services and operations in October last year. She said it was “no secret” that the relationship developed during the latter part of her six-year employment at the university, although the pair were not working together and were not in a formal public relationship when the information was circulated in September 2025.

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From the very outset of forming that personal connection, despite not feeling ready to establish a formal relationship, nor working with Craig any longer, I chose to make a conflict-of-interest disclosure to manage for any potential or perceived conflict.

“From the very outset of forming that personal connection, despite not feeling ready to establish a formal relationship, nor working with Craig any longer, I chose to make a conflict-of-interest disclosure to manage for any potential or perceived conflict,” House said. She said the university initially managed the disclosure appropriately and that it caused no problems.

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No secret

House said she later raised concerns internally, but turned to the Tasmanian Integrity Commission in July after concluding that the university had not fully investigated them. Her wider complaint addresses the management of contracts and relationships, financial decision-making, data and information, treatment of staff, governance frameworks, and executive transparency and accountability.

She said details of the relationship were circulated without explanation and argued that employees have a right to privacy in their personal lives, particularly when children are involved. The university disputes that it mishandled House’s information and declined to respond to ABC about the complaint. The Integrity Commission does not disclose whether individual complaints have been received, dismissed, referred or assessed, and says a complaint does not itself imply wrongdoing or guarantee an investigation.

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Everyone has the right to privacy in their personal life, particularly when there are children involved.