Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL ACT 1992 - SECT 5E

  (1)   The Minister may, by writing, direct the CEO, the Council or a Principal Committee (other than the Embryo Research Licensing Committee of the NHMRC) as to the performance of the CEO, Council or Committee's functions or the exercise of the CEO, Council or Committee's powers.

  (2)   Directions given by the Minister under subsection   (1) must be of a general nature only, and, in particular, the Minister is not entitled to direct the CEO, the Council or a Principal Committee:

  (a)   to recommend the allocation of research funds to a particular person, organisation, State or Territory; or

  (b)   as to the manner of the CEO, Council or Principal Committee's treatment of particular scientific, technical or ethical issues.

  (3)   The CEO, the Council or a Principal Committee must comply with any direction given by the Minister under subsection   (1).

  (4)   If the Minister gives a direction under subsection   (1), the Minister must cause a statement setting out particulars of, and of the reasons for, the direction to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after giving the direction.

Directions are not legislative instruments

  (5)   A direction under subsection   (1) is not a legislative instrument.