27Functions of the Australian Research Council

27 Functions of the Australian Research Council

(1) The functions of the Australian Research Council are:

(a) to make recommendations, in writing, to the Minister with respect to:

(i) the distribution of resources allocated to any research scheme referred, in writing, to the Council by the Minister for the purposes of this section; and

(ii) the administrative and other costs directly associated with that scheme; and

(b) to inquire into, and to provide information and advice to the Minister with respect to, any matter referred to the Council by the Minister, being:

(i) a matter relating to national research priorities or the co‑ordination of research policy and, in particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a matter relating to:

(A) the support to be given to fundamental research and to research that will contribute directly to the economic or social development of Australia;

(B) the development and implementation of research programs, or the establishment and maintenance of special research centres or key centres of teaching and research, by institutions and the allocation of funds to achieve an appropriate concentration of research effort in institutions;

(C) measures (including the implementation of programs for post‑graduates and the grant of post‑graduate scholarships) aimed at enhancing the training of research personnel; or

(D) measures aimed at improving interaction among the higher education sector, the private research sector, the government research sector and the industrial sector; or

(ii) any other matter on which information or advice may reasonably be required by the Minister in conjunction with information or advice in respect of a matter referred to in subparagraph (i); and

(c) on its own motion, but subject to subsection (3), to inquire into, and provide information and advice to the Minister with respect to, any matter referred to in subparagraph (b)(i) or (ii); and

(d) to prepare and give reports to the Minister under section 30.

(3) The Council may perform a function under paragraph (1)(c) only if the performance of that function does not prejudice the performance of its functions under paragraphs (1)(a) or (b).