How medical research grants are allocated attracted attention in yesterday’s Senate committee hearing on the Greens bill to stop ministers vetoing Australian Research Council recommended for funding

The National Health and Medical Research Council was quick to set out processes on its patch. The NHMRC issued a statement that there is nothing in its Act that prevents a minister from vetoing a grant but the council “has no record” of a minister not approving a grant recommended its CEO.
Unless the chief executive recommends the minister cannot recommend an allocation of funding.