Research independence and GISERA governance

National GISERA’s governance model is designed to ensure the delivery of independent, quality peer-reviewed and publicly available science from CSIRO researchers and other research organisations.

Members

GISERA’s current members are Australia Pacific LNG, QGC, Santos, Origin Energy and CSIRO. GISERA also receives funding from the Australian Government, and the Governments of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Independence, integrity and transparency

Fundamental to GISERA’s value is the trust that emanates from the independent, credible and transparent research conducted through GISERA.

GISERA has established a proven research program, governance structure and processes to ensure the independence, transparency and integrity of research undertaken that addresses the opportunities and challenges of the onshore gas industry in Australia.

The Research selection and approval process document provides an overview of the process used to explore, select and approve independent research projects undertaken as part of GISERA.

Annual research & development plan

An Annual research and development plan and budget is prepared by each Research Advisory Committee (RAC). This document details the following:

• National GISERA budget
• Research & development plan and budget for research areas
• Communication and engagement activities
• GISERA’s key performance indicators

Read the 2020-21 Annual research & development plan and budget.

Governance structure

GISERA has established processes that ensure CSIRO independence on all research conducted under the GISERA agreement:

• Research Advisory Committees (RAC) review and approve research projects that address community concerns, issues and potential impacts as a result of onshore gas development. RACs also advise the GISERA Director on technical issues, science directions and gaps. There are currently five RACs – Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The majority of members are independent stakeholders and the establishment of each RAC is based on the specific needs of each state and territory. The Chair of each RAC has no voting rights. All decisions and discussion at RAC meetings are recorded in the meeting minutes and made available for public scrutiny on the GISERA website.
• In addition to the State and Territory RACs, a National Research Advisory Committee will also be established to consider projects of national interest across states and territories. The National RAC will be comprised of one Commonwealth Government representative, one Tier 1 industry representative and at least three independent representatives.
• All public good research is made publicly available once it has cleared CSIRO’s established peer-review process.
• Any risks to public or environmental health and safety identified by GISERA research are reported to relevant authorities.

There are clear safeguards in the GISERA contract around CSIRO’s ability to publish independent peer reviewed scientific research. Companies do not have rights to alter, edit or respond to research reports written by CSIRO under GISERA. When companies sign-up to GISERA they agree to complete transparency of reporting under these conditions before project proposals have been approved. These are standard protocols CSIRO enters into in all of its major alliance arrangements. They ensure the national science agency’s independence.

Managing conflict of interest

Individuals and institutions engaged as members of GISERA or contributing to GISERA’s projects may be exposed to a range of circumstances under which they will need to identify and manage potential and real conflicts of interest.

GISERA will work with individuals and institutions to actively identify, avoid and manage conflicts of interest as part of its normal operating procedures. Where conflicts of interest are ongoing, it may be necessary for individuals or institutions to relinquish conflicting roles or remove themselves from involvement with GISERA.

Conflict of interest policy

If individuals and institutions engaged as members of GISERA or contributing to GISERA’s projects have interests that have, or may be seen to have, the potential to conflict with the individual’s or institutions’ work for GISERA, the individual or institution must disclose that interest to GISERA and take whatever action is required to avoid the conflict. Failure to do so may result in removal from GISERA.

Read our policy Conflict of interest (PDF, 173 KB).