[ASA] News bulletin from STA at Federal Budget lockup!

[John O'Byrne]

Dear Colleagues,

Below you will find a release issued late last night outlining our disappointment with the approach to science and technology in this year's Federal Budget and links to the documents themselves.

There are few surprises - but in broad terms there is little strategic vision and long-term planning to be seen.

STA will continue to sift through the papers on your behalf in coming days and bring you any new information that can be drawn from the fine detail.

We will continue talking to the media - and as always will be working to keep science and technology high on the agenda.

I have also included a list of links to all the Budget papers, for those who would like to go direct to the documents.

As always any feedback or input is much appreciated and encouraged.

Regards,

Catriona Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Science & Technology Australia

 

 

Science and Technology loses out in budget

Tonight's Federal Budget holds little for science and technology - with a reprieve for mid-career fellowships and critical infrastructure funding - but scant long-term vision on display. 

Science & Technology Australia CEO Catriona Jackson said:

"It is pleasing to the see the Government has recognised the importance of both the mid-career fellowships offered by the Australian Research Council and big infrastructure, with funding to operate and maintain critical projects.

"However these measures come in addition to the very damaging $3.8 billion in university cuts. The exact impacts are not yet known, as universities struggle to slash their budgets, but one thing is certain - the cuts will do real damage to Australia's science and technology workforce and to national productivity and innovation. 

"They will compromise the capacity of the nation to match it with the best - to keep pace with international advances in science and technology. 

"The cuts will damage the quality of education and research universities can provide. This is bad for students, researchers and the communities they serve. 

"Private sector knock-on effects will also result, with at the very least damage to the kind of collaborative work that tackles critical national and global issues.

"STA welcomes the one additional year of support for the ARC's Future Fellowships, with around 150 five-year grants, worth $135 million available in 2014. But a longer term restoration must be seriously considered if we are to keep the nation's outstanding mid-career researchers living and working in Australia. 

"Also $185 million will go to fund two more years of support for major national research facilities, without which much cutting edge research simply cannot take place. The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme ended in 2011, leaving many huge projects in limbo. It is difficult to overstate how important sustained backing for these landmark facilities is. Without a long-term plan, up to $1 billion of Government investment is at risk," Ms Jackson said. 

Other Budget measures for science and technology include:


$12 million for CSIRO to trial the new research vessel the RV Investigator;
$8 million to cover costs at ANSTO's OPAL nuclear reactor, and 
$30.9 million over four years to boost marine research at AIMS. 

Further examination of the Budget documents over coming days may reveal further important detail. 

ENDS

There are several additional issues of great concern in the lead up to the election.


Significant public service cuts, which are on the agenda for both of the major parties in the Federal arena, will very likely mean job losses in science and technology. STA will be keeping a very close eye on this issue, and bring you any further information as soon as it comes to hand. 


…………………..

BUDGET LINKS



www.budget.gov.au/
If access is slow due to high demand, the Budget papers will also be available via:
http://budget.australia.gov.au/
www.finance.gov.au
http://www.treasury.gov.au/Policy-Topics/BudgetingAndExpenditure
www.aph.gov.au

Treasurer Wayne Swan
www.treasurer.gov.au/Main.aspx?PageID=089&min=wms

Minister Penny Wong
http://www.financeminister.gov.au/

Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury
http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/Main.aspx?PageID=089&min=djba

Minister Bill Shorten
http://mfss.treasurer.gov.au/Main.aspx?PageID=089&min=brs

Parliamentary Secretary Bernie Ripoll
http://parlsec.treasurer.gov.au/Main.aspx?PageID=089&min=bfr

Treasury
http://www.treasury.gov.au/PublicationsAndMedia/MediaReleases
http://www.treasury.gov.au/PublicationsAndMedia/Publications

Finance
http://www.finance.gov.au/

PRIME MINISTER
http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHERIES
Minister Joe Ludwig
http://www.daff.gov.au/ludwig/media_office/media_releases

Parliamentary Secretary Sid Sidebottom
http://www.psmaff.gov.au/media-releases

Departmental
http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2013

AID
Minister Bob Carr
http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/

Parliamentary Secretary Matt Thistlethwaite
http://ministers.dfat.gov.au/thistlethwaite/

CLIMATE CHANGE 
Minister Greg Combet
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/gregcombet/MediaReleases/Pages/default.aspx

Parliamentary Secretary Yvette D’ath
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/yvettedath/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Departmental
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/media/whats-new.aspx

DEFENCE
Ministers and Departmental
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/index.cfm

EDUCATION 
Ministers Peter Garrett, Bill Shorten, Kate Ellis and Julie Collins, and Parliamentary Secretary Jacinta Collins
http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/

Departmental
http://deewr.gov.au/news

Minister Craig Emerson
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/craigemerson/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Minister Sharon Bird
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/sharonbird/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

ENVIRONMENT
Minister Tony Burke
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/burke/2013/index.html

Parliamentary Secretary Amanda Rishworth
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/rishworth/2013/index.html

Departmental
http://www.environment.gov.au/about/media/dept-mr/index.html

FAHCSIA
Minister Jenny Macklin
http://jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/

Minister Mark Butler
http://markbutler.fahcsia.gov.au/

Minister Julie Collins
http://juliecollins.fahcsia.gov.au/

Parliamentary Secretary Melissa Parke
http://melissaparke.fahcsia.gov.au/

HEALTH
Minister Tanya Plibersek
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/MediaReleases-TP-1

Minister Mark Butler
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/MediaReleases-MB-2

Parliamentary Secretary Shayne Neumann
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/The+Hon+Shayne+Neumann+MP+-+Parliamentary+Secretary+for+Health+and+Ageing-1

HEALTH/INDIGENOUS
Minister Warren Snowdon
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/MediaReleases-WS-1

Departmental
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Home

HUMAN SERVICES
Minister Jan McLucas
http://www.mhs.gov.au/media/media_releases/index.php

Departmental
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/corporate/publications-and-resources/budget/

ICT/MEDIA
Minister Stephen Conroy
www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media

Departmental
http://www.dbcde.gov.au/newsroom

INFRASTRUCTURE
Minister Anthony Albanese
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2013/May/index.aspx

Minister Catherine King
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/ck/index.aspx

Departmental
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/releases_speeches.aspx

Infrastructure Australia
http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/media/

INNOVATION/RESEARCH/INDUSTRY
Minister Greg Combet
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/gregcombet/MediaReleases/Pages/default.aspx

Minister Craig Emerson
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/craigemerson/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Minister Gary Gray
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/garygray/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Minister Kate Lundy
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/katelundy/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Minister Don Farrell
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/donfarrell/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

Parliamentary Secretary Bernie Ripoll
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/bernieripoll/MediaReleases/Pages/Default.aspx

REGIONAL/LOCAL GOVERNMENT/ARTS/SPORT
Minister Anthony Albanese
http://ministers.regional.gov.au/honourable-anthony-albanese-mp

Minister Tony Burke
http://ministers.regional.gov.au/honourable-tony-burke-mp

Minister Kate Lundy
http://ministers.regional.gov.au/senator-honourable-kate-lundy

Minister Catherine King
http://ministers.regional.gov.au/honourable-catherine-king-mp

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Danby
http://ministers.regional.gov.au/honourable-michael-danby-mp

Departmental
http://www.regional.gov.au/department/statements/index.aspx

Regional Australia Institute
http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/rai-media

RESOURCES & ENERGY
Minister Gary Gray
http://minister.ret.gov.au/MediaCentre/MediaReleases/Pages/GaryGrayMediaReleases.aspx

Departmental
http://www.ret.gov.au/Department/pub-and-rep/Pages/PublicationsandReports.aspx

LIBERAL PARTY
http://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/

AUSTRALIAN GREENS
http://greensmps.org.au/latest-news

NATIONALS
http://www.nationals.org.au/News/LatestNews.aspx

Catriona Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Science & Technology Australia
Giving voice to Australian Science & Technology for over 27 years
www.sta.org.au
www.respectthescience.org.au
catriona.jackson at sta.org.au

T:  02 6257 2891
M: 0417142238

PO Box 259
Canberra City ACT 2601






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