22 July 1997
Lack of Research Head sells Australia short

The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee has urged the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, to announce a replacement for the retiring chairman of the Australian Research Council, Professor Max Brennan.

Acting President of the AVCC, Professor Don McNicol said that he hoped this lack of a timely announcement on the part of the Minister was not an indication of the level of importance she places on the research mission of Australia's universities.

It has been over 21 weeks since retiring Chairman Professor Brennan wrote to Minister Vanstone to tell her he would definitely be unavailable after 15 August this year.

Professor McNicol said the AVCC has been very concerned for some months about the delay in there being any announcement. It now fears the Government's delay in announcing a replacement for Professor Brennan will lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of the ARC, with busy part-time members (who otherwise have full time jobs) attempting between them to fill the gap.

Professor McNicol said that the current situation should not be allowed to persist and the replacement for Professor Brennan "must be a full time appointment, to enable an effective voice for higher education research to be heard in national and international forums."

"A part time appointment would really be a decision to concentrate power in the Minister's department and to diminish independent and expert advice on the development of research in the higher education sector.

"The sector cannot be left in a state of suspended animation until Roderick West completes his report - some things need to be decided now - the Chairmanship of the ARC is one of these things."

Media Inquiries: Greg Ellis

22 July 1997 Lack of Research Head sells Australia short

22 July 1997
Lack of Research Head sells Australia short