Recommendations from a review of the Australian Research Council (ARC) are a vital first step towards ensuring Australia’s research funding agency is fit for purpose and can meet the future needs of the nation.
Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson, said all of the recommendations from Australia’s research-intensive universities, who receive 70 percent of ARC funding, have been picked up by the review team, led by former ARC Chief Executive, Professor Margaret Sheil.
“Core to our recommendations as reflected in the report are the principles of accountability and transparency in decision making.
“While it must always be the responsibility of the Minister to ensure that funding allocations meet rigorous and appropriate standards and deliver value for money for the Australian taxpayer, a lack of substantive information regarding the reasons for the rejection of ARC CEO recommended projects over the past 20 years had created a perception of the potential for bias or political interference.
“These issues have been addressed by the review and its recommendations as have issues regarding governance structures within the organisation.
“Importantly, the Go8 also recommended that the ARC’s role as the primary funder of non-medical basic research in Australia be formally recognised in the ARC Act. This critical stewardship role for the research that underpins innovation in Australia has been addressed in the report by a recommendation to give the ARC an explicit legislative basis and responsibility to fund basic research (as well as applied research).
“Clearly the report requires in depth consideration, including the proposed governance structure arrangements such as the Board proposal and the role of the ARC in engaging directly in research workforce issues.
“The review recommendations are also important in the context of the current Universities Accord process. While the ARC review addresses immediate and short-term issues, the Accord recognises the need for long term sustainable reform.
“Australia’s future prosperity will hinge on the capacity of our world-class researchers to undertake cutting edge research to meet our national priorities and it is imperative that the funding of this research reflect world’s best practice,” Ms Thomson said.
