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Queensland act
This Act replaces an 80-year-old law (from 1945) that governs the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) — a publicly funded body that conducts medical and scientific research in Queensland, particularly into diseases that significantly affect Queenslanders.
The Act is essentially a modern rewrite of the old rules, keeping the institute and its governing body (the Council) alive, but updating how they operate.
Keeps the institute running: QIMR continues to exist. It researches medical science, with a focus on Queensland-specific diseases, and uses that research to improve public health.
Creates a governing Council: Up to 9 members, appointed by the Minister, who must have expertise in areas like medical research, corporate governance, health ethics, fundraising, or commercialising intellectual property (turning research into products/profits). Council members can serve up to 12 years total.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 2025.
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View on official registerSourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Sets rules for who can sit on the Council: People are automatically disqualified if they're bankrupt ("insolvent under administration"), convicted of a serious crime ("indictable offence" — crimes serious enough to go to a higher court), a politician (Legislative Assembly member), or already a staff member of QIMR.
Background checks: The Minister can request criminal history reports from the police commissioner — but only with the person's written consent. Council members must immediately disclose if they're charged or convicted of a serious crime while serving.
Ownership of research discoveries: If a staff member or researcher creates something valuable (intellectual property — like a patent, drug formula, or technology) while doing their job at QIMR, the Council owns it by default. However, individual creators can share in the profits:
Conflicts of interest: Council members must disclose if they — or their family, employer, or business — stand to personally benefit from a decision. They generally can't vote on matters where they have a personal stake.
Ministerial oversight: The Council must immediately tell the Minister if something could seriously affect QIMR's finances or management (e.g., a big lawsuit, a major investment loss, or funds being misused). The Minister can demand documents and information.
Gifts and donations: The Council can accept donations of money or property. If the donor sets conditions on how it should be used, the Council must honour those conditions.
Annual reporting: The Council must publicly report on what it did and how well it performed each year — but without disclosing confidential personal or commercial information, or criminal history data.
Smooth transition: All existing staff, researchers, council members, and committees carry over from the old 1945 Act with their existing contracts intact.
This is a housekeeping update of an old law, modernising the governance rules for a major Queensland government research institution. If you work at QIMR, sit on its board, donate to it, or benefit from Queensland health research, this law shapes how the institute is run.