Many of these elements, particularly the various 'centres' initiatives, are attempts by Government and bureaucracy to engineer or facilitate the formation of research and education consortia—a form of market intervention (see Anon., 1992).

But the consortium of marine research and education organizations in Victoria is different in a very important way—it is not a government-driven and funded entity. It is a product of the clear recognition by various organizations of their common interests, and how they might be furthered, and in many respects it is much the better and more productive for that. It is not a legal entity, but rather an accepted way of working together. It involves six and soon all seven of Victoria's universities, together with VIMS and several other state agencies such as the Museum of Victoria. However, because it is 'a way of working together', a consortium approach does not imply a static consortium. Rather, the boundaries expand and contract, depending on the initiative under consideration and the desirability of including different partners, sometimes outside those listed above.

Royal Society of Victoria