Education ministers will no longer be able to unilaterally veto research grants after Greens and independent senators on Thursday helped pass a government bill that transfers final say on almost $900 million in annual grants to a new independent board.
The bill, which passed the lower house last month, was opposed by the Coalition, which has used the veto powers to stop expert recommended grants in the past on “national interest” and national security grounds.
The changes to the Australian Research Council Act 2001 will also establish a board at the agency to take responsibility for final grant decisions and inserts more clarity on the purpose of the agency into the legislation.
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