(1) The Minister may, in writing, approve the provision of funding for a particular land transport research entity for a particular period.
(2) The matters to which the Minister may have regard in deciding whether to approve the provision of funding for a land transport research entity for a period include, but are not limited to, the extent to which the entity's activities during the period are likely to improve land transport operations in Australia.
(3) The funding approval instrument must:
(a) identify the entity and the period; and
(b) specify the maximum funding amount that the Commonwealth may provide for the entity during the period; and
(c) contain a statement to the effect that the approval is conditional on a funding agreement being entered into with the entity.
(4) Subject to subsection ( 5), the Minister may, in writing, vary or revoke the funding approval instrument.
(5) If there is a funding agreement with the entity, the powers given by subsection ( 4) must be exercised in accordance with any relevant provisions of the funding agreement.
(6) An instrument approving the provision of Commonwealth funding, or varying or revoking such an approval, is not a legislative instrument.