Research Charter

Public research agency charter

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and the ANSTO Board recognise the primary functions of ANSTO are to conduct scientific research and development in relation to the applications of nuclear science and technology, to deliver specialised advice, scientific services and products to government, universities, other research organisations, international organisations and businesses, and to operate unique nuclear facilities.

To provide clear guidance to ANSTO and its individual researchers engaging in public debate, the Minister and the Board agree to the following principles:

General principles

1. Open communication and dissemination of the findings of research and factual information

The Government fully supports the independence and integrity of public research agencies in managing the wider dissemination of research outcomes.

ANSTO has a statutory requirement to pursue identified research activities on behalf of the Australian community, to encourage or facilitate the application or utilisation of the results of such research activities, to provide advice on aspects of nuclear science and nuclear technology and on their application and use, to act as a means of liaison between Australia and other countries in matters related to its activities, and to provide information on those activities.

This general responsibility may not necessarily extend to each and every research output or other activity of ANSTO. It is recognised that, on occasion, contractual arrangements or other legal or moral obligations governing particular research or other activities may impact on the timing or extent of the wider dissemination of the outcomes of research or other activities.

However, an open approach to communication of research outcomes will be generally adopted, with a more constrained approach to be adopted by exception and in accordance with clearly stipulated guidance applying to particular types of research and other activities.

2. Encouragement of debate on issues of public interest

The Government, ANSTO and its researchers have a shared responsibility to encourage debate in relation to nuclear science and technology, applications of nuclear science and technology and national and international developments in nuclear science and technology.

The open exchange of knowledge ensures accurate information and soundly-based expert opinions are available to the community and to the Government as an input to its policy-making processes.

To this end, it is essential that those who have expertise in the areas under debate are able to communicate new ideas and to infuse public debate with the best research and new knowledge.

3. Recognition of the role of ANSTO and its researchers in public communication and debate

ANSTO and its researchers recognise that their participation in public debate should canvas research and factually-based discussion of scientific and technological issues.

Where relevant, this might extend to discussion of the implications or scenarios stemming from particular ANSTO research findings or other expert knowledge.

ANSTO and its researchers should seek to provide scientific and technological knowledge in a form that can be widely understood and, where relevant, easy to apply, with a view to better informing the community. The engagement of ANSTO and its researchers with the community is a key component of an informed innovation system.

4. The contestability of ideas

The Government and the public look to ANSTO's researchers to provide expert advice in their fields. Validation, such as through peer-review, is central to assuring the quality of research and should be the foundation for any public comment.

The Government and the public look to ANSTO to provide expert advice in the field of nuclear science and technology, applications of nuclear science and technology and national and international developments in nuclear science and technology.

That advice should be based on peer-reviewed research undertaken by ANSTO or general expertise referencing recognised external bodies of information or knowledge concerning national and international developments in nuclear science and technology.

All parties recognise that there may be divergent views on both issues of public interest and the expert advice that is provided in relation to them.

The parties each agree that vigorous open debate of these views is important; as is the right of researchers to change their opinion in the light of such debate or new findings from research.

5. Independence and integrity of public research institutions in their research activities

The Government agrees not to interfere improperly in the business of research or in the scholarly process and to respect the independence and integrity of ANSTO in communicating the outcomes of its research activities.

6. Government is accountable to Parliament and the people, and remains responsible for policy formulation and implementation

Governments are elected with the responsibility to govern. With this goes the responsibility for the articulation, formulation and implementation of policies that address the issues and challenges that Australia faces.

In deciding how to best meet these challenges, governments must continually make choices between competing policy options. In this context, the responsibility of ANSTO, and of the researchers within it, is to inform the policy-making process.

They can do this by conducting the highest quality research and providing the best available knowledge to government, and by engaging in the public discussion and consideration of their research, findings and other knowledge.

They should not be asked by Government to defend or debate Government policy; nor should they seek to engage in such debate, as this is not their role.

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) specific clauses

The above general principles apply to ANSTO in the context of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987, the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, the Organisations Code of Ethics and ANSTO processes that implement the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Validation, such as through peer-review or use of recognised external bodies of information or knowledge, is central to assuring the quality of research and should be the foundation for any public comment.

The peer-review processes to be followed will be set by line management and be consistent with the accepted validation practices of the particular field.

Prior to contributing to public debate or to government inquiries, agency staff should to the extent possible consult widely within the organisation and, where a diversity of scientific or other views exists, make reference to the range of scientific or other perspectives held within the agency.

Staff will comply with ANSTO's formal procedures and protocols for co-ordination of submissions to government and other inquiries, and, where they exist, associated obligations for confidentiality.

Comments to the media or public forums about ANSTO's overall directions, operation, strategies and financial position should only be made by appropriately delegated or authorised staff.

If a staff member intends to comment publicly as a representative of ANSTO, he or she should do so in accordance with the Organisations Code of Ethics and processes for publication. If a staff member is commenting in a private capacity or that of a professional association, he or she should state clearly that it is not an official view of ANSTO.

Signatories

Senator the Hon Kim Carr
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

And:
 

Dr Zygmunt Switkowski
Chairman of ANSTO Board