The current application of the ministerial veto in the Australian Research Council (ARC) introduces "a randomness in a system that should be designed to preclude it to the maximum extent possible," says the Academy, in a submission made this month to the Senate Standing Committees on Education and Employment.
The submission to the Senate inquiry into the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018 highlights the need for reform in ARC grant approvals.
It argues that the veto "disregards" the capacity of the Council to make recommendations that include consideration of national interest and value for money, and lacks transparency and clarity.
This echoes earlier statements by the Academy regarding the revelation on Christmas Eve 2021 that six ARC Discovery Projects had been rejected using ministerial veto.
In February, Academy President John Shine joined the other presidents of Australia’s learned academies to call for the Government, the ARC and universities to work together to "uphold Australia’s reputation as a home and champion of international best practice research."
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