Australian Greens Education Spokesperson and Senator for NSW, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has called the Liberal/National Government’s new 

This bill amends the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act). The intent of the Bill is to remove Ministerial discretion from approving or rejecting research grants recommended and administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The ARC is established as an independent Commonwealth body under the ARC Act. 

The Australian Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has introduced a bill to completely remove the Education Minister’s ability to veto research grants funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The move would bring the ARC in line with other research bodies, like the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and follows the revelation that former Education Minister Simon Birmingham vetoed eleven grants for no reason.

Senator Faruqi, who is a former academic at the University of New South Wales, said:

By leave—I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Australian Research Council Act 2001, and for related purposes. Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018.

HANSARD LINK

Greens slam Liberals for continuous attacks on research and academic freedom

Greens science and research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today slammed the Liberals for their continued attacks on research and academic freedom. Mr Bandt said actions of Minister Birmingham and his successor, Minister Tehan, show the contempt with which the government holds the science and research community.

“The Liberals anti-science and anti-research agenda started with Tony Abbott and has continued long after his departure,” said Mr Bandt.

Innovation and Science statement dead in the water under an anti-science government: Bandt

Greens spokesperson for Science, Research & Innovation, Adam Bandt MP, today applauded the ambitious plan released by Innovation and Science Australia but said that trying to foster innovation under an anti-science, anti-education government is like politely asking Pauline Hanson to stop being a racist.

CSIRO needs to sever ties with Minerals Council: Bandt

The CSIRO must immediately cancel its paid membership of the Minerals Council, Australian Greens science and research spokesperson, Adam Bandt, said today. CSIRO should not be a member of a climate denying lobbyist group, Mr Bandt said.

The FOI requests made by the Australia Institute and released today show that the CSIRO pays at least $10,000 in Associate Membership fees to the Minerals Council of Australia.

Quotes attributable to Mr Bandt:

The Australian Greens have welcomed the State Government and Elon Musk’s announcement that a deal to build the world’s largest battery in South Australia will go ahead.

“When Elon Musk laid down the gauntlet to install battery storage in South Australia in 100 days, or it was free, the Greens urged the State Government to double down on this exciting wager,” Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

Elon Musk's proposal to solve South Australia’s energy crisis with battery storage is the game changer our state needs to switch back on, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young says.

“I'm not a gambling woman, but what do we have to lose here? Blackouts, expensive power bills, or cheap and clean renewable energy with reliable battery storage - the answer is staring us in the face,” Senator Hanson-Young said.