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Media Centre
Media Release
Boost to science agencies’ research funding
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop
MP, today announced that the research efforts of key government science
agencies – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO), the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) - will receive a
significant boost in this year’s Budget.
The Government has committed a record level of funding for the agencies
over the four years from 2007-08 to 2010-11. CSIRO will receive $2.8
billion, ANSTO will receive $663 million, and AIMS will receive $110.6
million.
The Budget provides CSIRO with $244.5 million for new measures over the
next four years, including $174 million to support an expansion of the
Flagships programme.
"The additional funding will enable the establishment of three new
Flagships focussing on Minerals, Niche Manufacturing and Climate Adaptation,
as well as an extension to the Energy Transformed Flagship to incorporate
research into alternate transport fuels," Minister Bishop said.
As part of this package CSIRO will receive $51.7 million to support
construction of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP)
which will be critical in strengthening Australia’s position to be selected
to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) next generation radio telescope.
In the area of biosecurity, the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL),
managed by CSIRO, will receive $16.8 million to improve diagnostic testing
of new and emerging diseases.
The Budget provides ANSTO with $61 million for new measures, $22 million
of which will support operation of the new Open Pool Australian Light-water
(OPAL) reactor and allow this world class facility to realise its potential
for ground breaking scientific research as well as providing vital
radioisotopes for all Australians; $35m has been provided for automation of
ANSTO Radiopharmaceuticals and Industrials (ARI) production processes to
assure supply of lifesaving radiopharmaceuticals and provide a
state-of-the-art working environment. An investment of $4 million in
low-level radioactive waste compaction equipment will substantially reduce
the volume of low-level waste stored at ANSTO.
AIMS will receive an additional $5 million to support research
into marine ecosystems in northwest Australia which will underpin the
environmental protection and sustainable use of marine resources in this
prospective oil and gas precinct.
The Government’s significant investment in these science agencies and the
major research facilities for which they have stewardship reflects its
commitment to keeping Australia at the forefront of international scientific
endeavour.
"The OPAL research reactor and its associated scientific instruments will
be rated among the top three such facilities in the world, while the
investment in AAHL will secure its position as one of the world’s leading
high security facilities for work on exotic animal diseases," Minister
Bishop said.
The SKA represents an unprecedented opportunity for Australia to host one
of the most important international science projects of the 21st century, in
the form of the world’s premier radio telescope, which promises to transform
our understanding of physics and cosmology.
CSIRO’s Flagships Programme is internationally recognised for its success
in bringing together multidisciplinary research teams to deliver scientific
solutions for Australia’s most pressing social, economic and environmental
issues.
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Media Contacts |
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| Minister Bishop’s Office: |
Tory Vidler |
0414 228 727 |
| Dept of Education, Science & Training: |
Virginia Cook |
0412 971 323 |
Supporting Information
Why is this important?
This funding will maintain Australia’s position at the forefront of
international scientific endeavour and support the critical contribution
the science agencies make to the nation’s economic, social and
environmental well-being.
CSIRO plays a very significant role in Australia’s national
innovation system and will continue to do so. It carries out research in
many areas of vital significance to the nation including energy,
information technology, health, minerals, agriculture and the
environment. Additional funding will enable CSIRO to continue its
research in these areas and conduct new research on emerging issues and
opportunities.
The increase in global movement of people, animals and plants, the
re-emergence of diseases such as Foot and Mouth, the appearance of new
virulent diseases, and the risk of bioterrorism pose significant threats
to Australia’s biosecurity. The funding for Australian Animal Health
Laboratory will provide a significant boost to Australia’s biosecurity
through increased diagnostic testing of new and emerging diseases.
ANSTO is Australia’s key centre of nuclear scientific expertise. The
Government’s investment in ANSTO provides benefits in areas as diverse
as medicine, the environment, industry, mining, science and education.
Further investment will ensure that ANSTO can continue its
ground-breaking research and capitalise on the exciting opportunities
provided by the new OPAL reactor, one of the world’s top three research
reactors, and ensure increasing demand for lifesaving
radiopharmaceuticals from ARI can be met.
AIMS research supports effective management of sensitive and iconic
areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo reef. Additional
funding will enable AIMS to carry out vital research which will underpin
the environmental protection and sustainable use of resources in
northwest Australia, which is a key prospective oil and gas precinct.
Who will benefit?
Specific industries and the community generally will benefit from
research that addresses industrial challenges and opportunities as well
as vital issues of concern to the nation as a whole such as climate
change, public health, energy, water, marine biodiversity and protecting
Australia’s biosecurity.
Australian children and their families will benefit from CSIRO’s
Wellbeing Plan for Children which will provide easily accessible,
practical support for parents to promote healthy eating and physical
activity to children. The project will support and complement other
Government initiatives which target obesity and healthy eating.
The community will also benefit from ground-breaking nuclear
research in areas such as molecular biology, food research, polymers and
new drug design as well as the production of radiopharmaceuticals. It is
expected that, on average, each Australian will need at least one
nuclear medicine treatment in their lifetime.
The ASKAP and the OPAL reactor will provide Australian scientists
with access to state of the art science infrastructure as well as
opportunities for increased international collaboration. They will also
stimulate interest in science and engineering. Should Australia be
selected to host the SKA, these benefits are likely to increase
substantially
The science agencies will benefit from the Government’s decision to
provide baseline funding for four year periods, rather than the current
three year periods. Increasing the funding period to four years provides
these agencies with an even more stable financial environment that will
enhance resource planning in scientific research, permitting the
development of longer multi-year research programmes.
What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?
The Budget provides nearly $3.2 billion in baseline funding for the
science agencies as well as an additional $310.5 million for new funding
measures. This brings Government funding to over $3.5 billion for the
Australian Government’s science agencies over the next four years.
What have we done in the past?
The Government has previously provided baseline funding for the
science agencies on a three year basis.
It has also provided significant funding for specific initiatives
such as early SKA technology development, construction of the new OPAL
research reactor and CSIRO’s Flagships programme.
When will the initiative conclude?
Baseline funding for the science agencies will be provided over the
four year period from 2007-08 to 2010-11.
The majority of the other initiatives are also funded for a four
year period.
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