SMH reports Fair Work Commission upheld dismissal of Newcastle researcher who led cannabinoid studies

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 13 October 2026 that a Fair Work Commission full bench had rejected an appeal by Professor Pradeep Tanwar against his dismissal by the University of Newcastle for research misconduct.

According to the Herald, Professor Tanwar was chief investigator on projects under a research partnership between the university and hemp company Ecofibre to test cannabinoids in endometriosis and other gynaecological diseases. The Herald reported that hospital service investigations concluded more than 100 patients involved in his research had not signed consent forms for their tissue to be used, that the hospital system withdrew ethical approval for the studies, and that Ecofibre terminated its research agreement with the university.

The Herald reported that the university suspended Professor Tanwar in April 2024, that its Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases closed in December 2024, and that his employment was terminated in August 2025. According to the report, the commission found the dismissal was not unfair, and a full bench rejected his appeal in a judgment published the week before the article.

The Herald quoted Professor Tanwar as saying consent "was taken by hospital clinicians" under the approved ethics protocols. The university said the commission had upheld the outcome of its investigation. The Herald reported that Ecofibre did not respond to a request for comment.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald — No consent: Sacked professor loses case after women’s cells used in mice experiment (published 13 October 2026)