5 years ago
AUDIT EXPOSES LIBERALS DISDAIN OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
The release of the Australian National Audit Office audit of the Australian Research Council (ARC), is an endorsement of the highly competitive and arduous National Competitive Grant’s Process (NCGP), which is administered and approved by ARC experts.
The audit concludes that the ARC’s administration of the grants program is effective, and the guidelines align with the government’s research and innovation objectives.
This outcome exposes the Government’s interference late last year to reject a number of ARC grants, particularly in the humanities, as arrogant and imperious.
The grants program is important in supporting fundamental research while also supporting links between universities and industry.
At a time of significant transformation and transition in industry, this collaboration is fundamental for growing knowledge, for innovation and for Australia’s future economic success.
In rare exceptions where a minister vetoes a grant, they should be required to publicly and transparently explain their decision.
The expert ARC does not need a Minister with an ideological bent, dictating without explanation whether or not a peer reviewed researcher deserves funding.
The audit concludes that the ARC’s administration of the grants program is effective, and the guidelines align with the government’s research and innovation objectives.
This outcome exposes the Government’s interference late last year to reject a number of ARC grants, particularly in the humanities, as arrogant and imperious.
The grants program is important in supporting fundamental research while also supporting links between universities and industry.
At a time of significant transformation and transition in industry, this collaboration is fundamental for growing knowledge, for innovation and for Australia’s future economic success.
In rare exceptions where a minister vetoes a grant, they should be required to publicly and transparently explain their decision.
The expert ARC does not need a Minister with an ideological bent, dictating without explanation whether or not a peer reviewed researcher deserves funding.