The Senate has given its support to a motion of Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi to refer her private members’ bill Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018 to a Senate Inquiry.
Senator Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for Education, said:
“I’m very pleased that the Senate has agreed to this inquiry.
“There is no place for political interference in research funding and my bill would ensure that grants are allocated through the established rigorous processes, not ministerial intervention.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing from universities and researchers on this critical issue. Frankly, for too long, their voices have been ignored.
“Liberal Ministers have vetoed seventeen peer-reviewed grants in just the last four years. The government is out of control and the madness has to end.”
The inquiry has been referred to the Senate’s Education and Employment Legislation Committee. More information will be made available in the coming days.