Science and Industry Research Act 1959

Overview

The Science and Industry Research Act 1959 was enacted to amend the existing Science and Industry Research Act 1949, thereby enhancing the framework for the research and development activities within Australia. This Act was introduced to address the evolving needs of Australia’s scientific and industrial sectors, aiming to bolster the nation's research capabilities and foster innovation. Enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of this legislation was to adjust the composition and operational structure of the Executive of the research organisation to better meet the demands of contemporary scientific and industrial research. By amending specific sections of the Principal Act, the 1959 Act aimed to provide more effective governance and administration within the research organisation.

Scope and Application

The Science and Industry Research Act 1959 amends the Science and Industry Research Act 1949, and it applies to entities engaged in scientific research and industry research within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation primarily affects the composition and functioning of the executive of the research organisation, by increasing the number of members from four to eight, the number of members required for a quorum from three to five, and the number of members constituting the executive from two to four. The Act also amends the quorum required for meetings of the executive from three to five members. Furthermore, the Act modifies the exercise of powers and functions affecting territories by removing the word "External" from section thirty-two, thus potentially extending the scope of the Act to include internal territories. The Act comes into operation on a date fixed by proclamation and may have further implications or extensions through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Science and Industry Research Act 1959 amends the Science and Industry Research Act 1949, primarily affecting the composition and functioning of the organisation's executive. Under the amendment, the size of the executive committee is increased from four to eight members (Section 3(a)). Additionally, the number of meetings required to be held by the executive per year increases from three to five (Section 3(b) and 4). These changes are intended to expand the representation and deliberative capacity of the organisation’s executive. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. The most notable is the expanded executive committee, which now consists of eight members instead of four. This necessitates that the organisation ensure the committee includes a diverse range of expertise and perspectives, as stipulated in the amended provisions. The requirement for five meetings per year (previously three) underscores the need for more frequent and detailed oversight and decision-making processes. The organisation must ensure these meetings are adequately documented and that their outcomes are effectively communicated and implemented. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act can lead to significant consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the Act itself, breaches of the operational requirements could lead to legal challenges regarding the legitimacy of the organisation’s decisions or actions. Non-compliance might also attract scrutiny from regulatory bodies, potentially resulting in corrective actions or sanctions. The precise nature of penalties would depend on the specific breach and the interpretation by relevant authorities.