The New Australian Research Council
8 March 2001
The National Tertiary Education Union, representing Australian university staff, has welcomed the passage of legislation that will establish the Australian Research Council as an independent, statutory body with the power to initiate its own inquiries.
The ARC provides approximately $250m per year in research funding; a budget which the Government promises to double by 2006. It is the principal source of research funding to universities, apart from funding through operating grants.
`The ALP and the Democrats in the Senate have worked long and hard to ensure that this legislation would deliver an improved ARC,’ said NTEU President Carolyn Allport. `In its original form, it was deeply flawed. The amendments negotiated by the Democrats with the Government will ensure that the ARC can initiate its own inquiries, that it can publish the outcomes of those inquiries, and that accountability for the provision of public funds is maintained.’
`We are disappointed that the Government remained intransigent on the issue of student representation on the Australian Research Council, especially given the vital contribution postgraduate research students make to our research effort and the innovation system. This reflects the current Government’s disdain for stakeholder input and representation.’
Dr Allport said that a key achievement, which was supported by all Opposition parties, was the removal of Ministerial discretion in the allocation of university operating grant funds, and the requirement that institutions receiving such funds will be listed on a new schedule of the Higher Education Funding Act.
`In its original form, this legislation would have opened up $700million in funds currently flowing to public universities to wide competition. It would also have allowed the minister almost absolute discretion in deciding who should get these funds.’
`The fact that ministerial discretion has been curbed and that institutions getting this money will now be subject to parliamentary scrutiny is a victory for public accountability.’
`We wish the ARC well in getting on with the important job of supporting great Australian research that delivers valuable outcomes to our society.’