Annual Report 2015–2016

NHMRC’s robust corporate governance and compliance framework provide rigour and discipline
to the way in which NHMRC delivers its work. It ensures transparent, ethical and accountable
decision‐making, and helps manage risk and stakeholder relations.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
PART 3 operating environment
The National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (NHMRC Act) defines NHMRC as the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), the Council, committees and employees (who comprise the Office of NHMRC).
The CEO, Council and Principal Committees are appointed by the responsible Minister.
The Minister provides guidance on NHMRC’s strategic priorities. The CEO is responsible to the Minister
under the Public Service Act 1999, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and the
NHMRC Act.
The CEO’s functions are prescribed by section 7 of the NHMRC Act as:
• inquire into, and issue guidelines and advise the community on matters relating to:
––
the improvement of health
––
the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease
––
the provision of health care
––
public health research and medical research
––
ethical issues relating to health.
• advise and make recommendations to the Australian Government, the states and the territories on the
matters referred to above
• make recommendations to the Minister about expenditure on:
––
public health research and training
––
medical research and training.
NHMRC is an independent statutory authority. It has statutory obligations under the Prohibition of Human
Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002.
86
Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016