The Australian Senate has today passed a Bill amending the Australian Research Council Act – removing the minister’s ability to veto research projects except in cases of national security.

This comes after 32 ministerial vetoes of mostly humanities projects over a number of years.

The Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities has been calling for the abolition of ministerial vetoes for some time, arguing that political interference in research funding must stop.

“Time and again, Coalition ministers have targeted humanities projects, and again this week made attacks on previously vetoed projects based on their titles alone, calling into question whether research in the arts is in the national interest” DASSH President Nick Bisley said.

“DASSH has made direct appeals to crossbench Senators in recent weeks to vote in favour of the changes and we applaud them for supporting this critical legislation.

“We are thrilled to see this legislation passed, which will see Australia come into line with global research funding standards and an end to the politicisation of humanities research.”

Contact

Jane Ryan
Executive Director
0468 632 044
jane.ryan@dassh.edu.au