Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I move Democrat amendment (2) on sheet 4937:

(2)    Schedule 1, item 5, page 6 (after line 11), after paragraph 33B(c), insert:

           (ca)    to initiate inquiries on his or her own volition for the purpose of fulfilling the ARC’s statutory functions;

The Democrats intend to call a division on this amendment because, as previously indicated, it is pivotal. The amendment clarifies that the CEO of the Australian Research Council can actually initiate inquiries without being required to seek permission from or consult with the minister of the day. Because the Labor amendment has gone down and because the current act’s provision in relation to initiating own inquiries has not been successful, we seek to put in this amendment to make it absolutely clear that the CEO has that responsibility and that power in order for the CEO to fill the statutory responsibilities of the ARC, and that is to initiate their own inquiries.

Question put:

That the motion (Senator Stott Despoja’s) be agreed to.