Annual Report 2015–2016

Complaints and their outcomes
Of the nine complaints investigated:
• Four related to low application scores from applications that were not funded or ranked as ‘not for
further consideration’ (NFFC). I concluded that NHMRC had acted in a procedurally fair way and
properly dispensed its duties and responsibilities according to the applicable NHMRC Funding Rules
and Guidelines. I conducted a review of procedures for natural justice, fairness and absence of conflict
of interest in NHMRC procedures, and I concluded that NHMRC was not in error procedurally or
substantively. In one instance, I recommended that NHMRC consider the complaint and my ruling when
reviewing NHMRC procedures.
• One related to a finding of ineligibility in relation to requirements of relevant funding rules. In
investigating this complaint, I conducted a review of procedures for natural justice, fairness and absence
of conflict of interest in NHMRC procedures in reaching the decision of ineligibility. In doing this I
considered all documents provided by the complainants, the applicable NHMRC Scheme and Funding
rules and policy. I concluded that each of the eligibility considerations was applied correctly.
• Four complaints are still under investigation and have not yet been finalised.
Of the five investigations finalised, the most common grounds for complaint from section 58 of the
Act were:
• that the action involved a breach of the rules of natural justice (3)
• that there was no evidence or other material to justify the action (2)
• that an irrelevant consideration was taken into account in relation to the action (5)
• that a relevant consideration was not taken into account in relation to the action (1)
• that the action involved the exercise of a discretionary power in accordance with a rule of policy without
regard to merit of the particular cases (3).
The funding schemes that the complaints related to included:
PART 3 operating environment
• Centres of Research Excellence
• Research Fellowships
• Project Grants
• Early Career Fellowship
• Program Grants.
PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Accommodation
NHMRC continues to minimise its impact on the environment through responsible and efficient
consumption, use and disposal of resources. NHMRC works to:
• improve its environmental performance to meet legislative requirements and maintain NHMRC’s
Environmental Management System to ISO 14001:2004
• build a strong environmental ethos by increasing awareness and commitment by employees and key
stakeholders to meet agreed environmental targets
• integrate environmentally sustainable practices into day-to-day activities performed by
NHMRC employees.
Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016
103