UNSW calls in heavyweights over allegations

Ongoing investigations into the alleged misconduct of a University of New South Wales scientist, Prof Bruce Hall, are to be directed by a selection panel comprised of eminent scientist Sir Gustav Nossal and UNSW chancellor Dr John Yu and vice-chancellor Prof John Niland.

The panel will decide on the composition of an external independent inquiry committee, as well as writing the draft terms of reference to be finalised later by the inquiry.

Niland said it was critical that every aspect of concern be fully and properly investigated by the external independent inquiry.

Niland was seeking advice from internationally recognised medical researchers as to the process and possible members of the inquiry. At the same time, he had invited the chairman of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to provide input to the panel.

Suzanne Northcott, executive head of the NHMRC's Centre for Research Management, said the NHMRC was keen to contribute its expertise to the inquiry.

She said the NHMRC believed that allegations of scientific fraud had the potential to damage the reputation of Australian science and its research institutions, and took such allegations "extremely seriously".

To overcome this, the NHMRC would consider launching its own investigation into the use of grant money as well as closely examining further investigations, she said. In response to the results of the UNSW inquiry, which cleared Hall of several complaints, the NHMRC requested that UNSW send it all the relevant reports regarding the inquiry. Northcott said that the NHMRC was not satisfied that the university inquiry had addressed all of its concerns.

She pointed out that the NHRMC had power to terminate or suspend any of its grants if any statement made in the original application was incorrect or incomplete.

For now, UNSW has suspended Hall's NHMRC grant, but it could be totally abolished later if the NHMRC considered that to be appropriate. The $160,000 three-year NHMRC grant was to be used by Hall and his researchers at Liverpool Hospital.

Niland said that he would report on progress to the UNSW Council meeting, to be held on May 27, and that the draft terms of reference for the external inquiry would be made soon after.

In a statement last week, Niland said that certain matters relating to the scientific misconduct and fraud made against Hall remained unresolved.