AHRI loses non-profit tag

THE AUSTRALIAN Human Resources Institute is no longer a not-for-profit organisation.

Financial troubles forced AHRI into voluntary administration in November and Deakin University successfully responded to expressions of interest.

In a legal sense, Deakin Australia has purchased the assets and goodwill of the organisation.

Industry sources said this was the first instance of a professional member-based organisation collapsing in Australia.

All cash membership dues paid up to 30 June 2000 have been either used by the previous management of AHRI or used by the administrator to satisfy outstanding debts.

AHRI WA president and Murdoch University head of human resources Chris Jeffery said the newly-formed HR Network – which is not yet a professional organisation – would not replace AHRI.

“It will be a mechanism by which we can continue to hold HR industry events,” Mr Jeffery said.

“All AHRI activities have been suspended so we couldn’t do it under that banner.

“Should AHRI WA re-emerge, the HR Network will fade away.”

A disgruntled former AHRI WA employee said, ironically, the manner with which staff were made redundant during the administration was less than exemplary.