In October 2004, the Government appointed an Advisory Committee to advise it on the funding principles and process for implementation of NCRIS. The Committee presented its advice in July 2005.
Role
The role of the NCRIS Advisory Committee was to establish the funding principles and process for the implementation of NCRIS. It was not required to provide a formal report.
In relation to NCRIS, the Advisory Committee:
- provided guidance on areas in which investments in research infrastructure would significantly enhance the capacity of the national research and innovation system in delivering national benefits;
- advised on the principle and mechanisms that could apply in identifying and funding specific investment priorities; and
- advised on the establishment of the NCRIS committee to manage the long term implementation, monitoring and review of NCRIS.
The Advisory Committee also had an important role as a link between the Government and stakeholders (including State and Territory governments, industry, the research community and other interested parties) for the dissemination of information and during consultations. It helped to build a consensus approach to a strategy for making major infrastructure investments.
2004 Public Consultations
The Advisory Committee released the Draft Implementation Framework paper in November 2004, and then undertook national consultations in late November and December of 2004. This involved travelling to national capitals, in order to meet with stakeholders and form a complete picture of the potential requirements for Australian research infrastructure funding over the NCRIS funding period.
List of Major Research Infrastructure
In light of this initial round of public consultation, a list of major items of research infrastructure was compiled in 2005 as part of the consultation process.
Capability Scoping Document
The Capability Scoping Document was the vehicle for summarising capabilities proposed for the 2006 Strategic Roadmap of Australia’s research infrastructure needs. The Advisory Committee released the document for public comment in May 2005.
An expert forum was also organised to help scope the Roadmap and provide a strategic overview of needs. The expert forum was held on 25 May 2005 in Canberra. Participants were invited from the Learned Academies, funding and research agencies and professional associations.
Implementation Advice July 2005
In July 2005, the Advisory Committee released their Implementation Advice or the next stage of NCRIS, in lieu of a final report. This Advice paper was endorsed by the Minister, and the Advisory Committee was wound up.
The Chair was Professor Rory Hume, formerly Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of New South Wales and prior to this Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles.
Other members were:
- Dr Michael Barber, Executive Director, Science Planning, CSIRO
- Dr Robin Batterham, The Chief Scientist
- Professor Ian Chubb, Vice-Chancellor, Australian National University (representing the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee)
- Dr Phil McFadden, Chief Scientist, Geoscience Australia (representing the National Academies Forum);
- Mr Peter Nissen, National Broadband Advisor for Education
- Professor Alan Pettigrew, CEO, National Health and Medical Research Council
- Dr Ian Smith, Executive Director, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
- Dr Stephen Walker, Executive Director, Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Australian Research Council
- Dr Evan Arthur, Group Manager, Innovation and Research Systems Group, DEST
- Mr Colin Walters, Group Manager, Science Group, DEST