Esoteric studies a taxing problem
ACADEMIC grants worth millions of dollars now have to meet a “national interest test” — but questions have been raised about whether some of the projects funded in the latest round provide any real ben- efit to ordinary Aussies.
According to an analysis by y the Institute of Public Affairs, some of the most recent Australian Research Council l grants include a number of obscure and esoteric academic projects, many based on overseas issues or identity politics, which will do little to improve the lives of taxpayers.
More than $90m of taxpayer funds have been given out in the latest round, including projects to examine “Lao socialism”, “Indigenous LGBITQ + creative artists” and “A sonic approach to anti-colonialism in interwar India”.
In 2018 Education Minister Dan Tehan ( pictured) announced the new national interest test would apply to academics asking for money from the Australian Research Council.
“Introducing a national interest test will give the minister of the day the confidence to look the Australian voter in the eye and say: ‘Your money is being spent wisely,’ ” Mr Tehan said at the time.
But the IPA’S Bella d’abrera, who has conducted an audit of $1.34bn worth of taxpayer money ney handed out under the scheme over 17 years, questions how some of the latest beneficiaries meet the new test.
“It would certainly take someone of an exceptionally steely disposition to be able to look the taxpayer in the eye and tell them that projects about ‘Lao socialism’, ‘Indigenous LGBITQ + creative artists’ or ‘ A sonic approach to anticolonialism in interwar India’ is their money wisely spent,” Dr d’abrera said.
“The government needs to remember that it’s the public’s money. And I ask: Are we getting value for money?
“How do these projects help our lives — how do they benefit Australians?”
A spokesman for Mr Tehan said all applicants for the council’s funding “must address the national interest test requirement”.
“ARC grants are recommended to the minister after being independently peer reviewed,” he said.