Labor accused of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ for axing $760m research program to fund other science measures
Summary
The Australian government has cut $760 million from the Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) research commercialization program to fund other science projects, including support for the CSIRO and the National Measurement Institute. Researchers and university leaders criticize the decision, saying it wastes effort and harms research commercialization and development.Key Facts
- The Australia’s Economic Accelerator program lost $760 million in funding over five years up to 2029–30.
- The budget adds $387.4 million to support CSIRO’s financial health and $273 million for the National Measurement Institute.
- The AEA program, started in 2023, helped turn research into economic and social benefits but will stop new project funding after 2025–26.
- Researchers like Prof Melanie Davern spent months applying for AEA grants that may no longer be funded.
- Universities Australia says cutting the AEA harms research commercialization and sends a negative signal to the sector.
- Australia’s investment in research and development is 1.7% of GDP, below the OECD average of 2.7%.
- Australian Academy of Science and Science & Technology Australia express concern that the budget does not increase overall science funding enough.
- The government plans a new National Resilience and Science Council as part of other budget measures.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.