The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) endorses the view of Universities Australia in urging Minister Dan Tehan to follow expert advice, not exercise such a veto in the future and practice greater transparency in research funding grants.

CHASS joins its member organisations and other sector peak bodies and associations in condemning Minister Simon Birmingham’s decision to veto 11 ARC grant applications totalling over $4 million in 2017 and 2018. CHASS is deeply disappointed that the vetoed projects were from the Humanities sector. Political interference in ARC’s independence and internationally-recognised processes harms Australia’s higher education and research sector.