ATN WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S ADOPTION OF ARC REVIEW
RECOMMENDATIONS

22 AUGUST 2023

The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) looks forward to working closely with the
Albanese Government on further support for research, now that all the recommendations of the Review
of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Review) have been accepted.

By adopting these recommendations, the Government will improve the governance, purpose, oversight
and management of a significant part of funding for university research and provide more certainty for
our universities and researchers.

ATN’s principal recommendation to the ARC Review was that significant reform of ARC needs to be
done in conjunction and alignment with the Universities Accord, which will seek consensus on what we
want from our university research system.

It is important that the Government acknowledged that research remains a key element of all Australian
universities, and reform of the performance measurement and management of university research is
critical to our sector and the country’s future prosperity. It is appropriate that Minister for Education,
Jason Clare MP, has requested the Accord Panel consider the recommendation on measuring impact and
engagement in university research.

Through the Universities Accord, we should agree on tangible and achievable priorities for our national
research system and the ARC should use its evaluative capabilities to measure the progress towards our
shared targets.

ATN also looks forward to working with ARC to advance the support for Indigenous Australian
academics through better consultation and additional fellowships.

Media Contact (not for publication)
Frank Coletta (Manager, Media and Communication) m: 0468 987 295 e: frank.coletta@atn.edu.au