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External earnings by research agencies under review
Download PDF SENATOR THE HON. CHRIS SCHACHT MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND SMALL BUSINESS MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER FOR SCIENCE
MEDIA RELEASE Embargoed until 12.45 pm Wednesday 25 August, 1993 113/93
EXTERNAL EARNINGS BY RESEARCH AGENCIES UNDER REVIEW
Senator Chris Schacht, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Science, announced today a review of the operations oftheâ‘ 30% external earnings targets set several years ago by the Government for its research agencies, CSIRO, ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation) and AIMS (the Australian Institute of Marine Science).
The Review will be conducted by ASTEC (the Australian Science and Technology Council), an independent statutory authority advising the Government on science, technology and related issues.
Senator Schacht said the external earnings targets have been very successful in improving the links of government research agencies with industry.
"The agencies have had considerable experience in implementing the policy objectives of increasing links with indus~ry and have made significant changes in the way they manage their research .
"However, discussions with researchers and small business people have highlighted the fact that these targets have had some unintended consequences."
The Minister said that in response to these concerns, the Government has asked ASTEC to review the impact of the operations of the 30% external earnings target on-
" the level and quality of interaction between the research organisations and industry, including small and medium sized businesses and other research users;
" the performance of core research responsibilities and the balance of research effort within the research organisations; and
" the effective management of s~aff and other resources within the research organisations .
"ASTEC will be consulting widely in conducting the review, and I understand the Council will be calling for submissions shortly ."
Senator Schacht added that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Accounts had recommended in a recent report that the Government should review the operations of the effects of the 3 0 percent external earnings requirement on the capacity of research organisations to best serve the needs of Australian industry and to maintain relevant basic research expertise .
"This review will address those recommendations, and I have asked ASTEC to report to me by February 1994.
The full terms of reference of the review are attached.
CANBERRA NR127 Contact Minister's Office
Carol Sutherland 06 277 7080
ASTEC John Madden 06 273 4966
ASTEC REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXTERNAL EARNINGS REQUIREMENT FOR GOVERNMENT RESEARCH AGENCIES
Terms of Reference
Given the Government's policy objectives of promoting links between Government research agencies and industry and other research users, through encouraging growth in external funding of research; and recognising that there are a number of government programs addressing business research and development needs:
1. Review the effectiveness of the external earnings requirement for CSIRO, ANSTO and AIMS as a mechanism for achieving the policy objective of promoting links with industry and other research users.
2. Evaluate the impact of current external earnings requirements, and of any reformulation of those requirements, including the particular impacts on:
a) the level and quality of interaction between the research organisations and industry, including small and medium sized businesses, and other research users; b) the performance of core research responsibilities and the
balance of research effort within the research organisations; and c) the effective management of staff and other resources within the research organisations.
3. Assess the appropriateness of external earnings as a measure of interaction between government research organisations and industry by comparison with alternative performance indicators.
4. Recommend a) whether any modifications are necessary to the way targets are set and managed. b) whether the government should consider any other mechanisms to assist in achieving the policy objective.
ASTEC will report by February 1994.
25 August, 1993
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