Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
2010
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL AMENDMENT BILL 2010
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science
and Research, Senator the Honourable Kim Carr)
AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL AMENDMENT BILL 2010
GENERAL OUTLINE
The purpose of the Australian Research Council Amendment Bill 2010 (the
Bill) is to make funding adjustments in the Australian Research Council Act
2001 (the Act) that will allow the Australian Research Council to implement
its Budget Initiatives, an Australian Government Initiative resulting from
the 2020 Summit and apply indexation against existing schemes.
This funding supports three funding initiatives in particular, they are:
the Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative, Super
Science Fellowships scheme and continued funding for National ICT Australia
(NICTA).
These initiatives foster high quality research activity as part of
Australia's national innovation system.
The Super Science Fellowships scheme consists of 100 three-year early-
career fellowships, which will be awarded to Australia's most promising
young researchers allowing them to continue to have opportunities to work
in areas of national significance during the global recession.
The Research in Bionic Science and Technology Initiative was developed in
response to the Australia 2020 Summit. It delivers on the Australian
Government's promise, as part of its 2020 Summit response, to implement a
long-term national health strategy. This Australian Government investment
will help to give and restore sight to thousands of people around the
world.
NICTA plays an important role in building Australia's research and skills
base and is a key national innovation asset. It enhances Australia's
ability to fully capture the social and economic benefits that ICT
capability can deliver across all sectors of the Australian community,
ranging from security and transport management to health and environmental
issues.
Specifically the Bill will alter three existing financial year funding
figures and extend the forward estimate period to 2013, resulting in
additional spending of $889.6 million over the four financial years.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The Bill will increase spending by approximately $889.6 million over four
financial years.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to increase funding to fully
implement: the new
Super Science Fellowships scheme and Research in Bionic Vision Science and
Technology Initiative; provide continued funding for National ICT Australia
(NICTA); and apply indexation against existing schemes and create an
additional out year.
The proposed amendments only impact on administered special appropriation;
they do not alter the substance of the Act or increase departmental funds.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Clause 1 - Short Title
This clause provides for the Bill, once enacted, to be cited as the
Australian Research Council Amendment Act 2010.
Clause 2 - Commencement
This clause specifies the commencement date for the Bill. This means that
the proposed amendments set out in Schedule 1 will commence on the day the
Bill, once enacted, receives the Royal Assent.
Clause 3 - Schedules(s)
Clause 3 provides that the proposed amendments to any Act specified in
Schedule 1 to the Bill, and any other items in a Schedule, are amended or
repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned. Any
item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
SCHEDULE 1 - AMENDMENTS
Item 1 - At the end of Subsection 48(2)
The proposed amendment in Item 1 provides for a new paragraph (i) at the
end of subsection 48(2).
The proposed amendment makes reference to a new financial year of financial
information, commencing 1 July 2012.
Item 2 - Paragraphs 49(j), (k) and (l)
The proposed amendment in Item 2 provides for the repeal of current
paragraphs 49(j), (k) and (l) of the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
In place of the repealed paragraphs 49(j), (k) and (l), new paragraphs
49(j), (k), (l) and
(m) are substituted.
The proposed amendments of this section of the Australian Research Council
Act
2001 update the existing special appropriation amount administered by the
Australian
Research Council to include an additional out year, indexation and provide
funding for the Super Science Fellowships scheme, Research in Bionic Vision
Science and Technology Initiative and continued funding for National ICT
Australia (NICTA).