Abbott Government Threatens Critical Research: Greens
Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson on Research and Innovation Adam Bandt said today redirecting funding to ‘commercially viable’ research would threaten critical areas of research in Australia.
“The discussion paper the government has released today will send a shiver down the spine of anyone involved in curiosity-driven or public good research in Australia,” said Mr Bandt.
“Unless the government increases the size of the pie for research, they will take money away from areas that it does not identify as a priority and give it to others.”
“The Abbott government wants to redirect funding from areas of important fundamental research, like astronomy, environmental science, renewable energy and information technology, to give it to coal and mining companies so they can increase their profits.”
"Basic or fundamental research builds our knowledge base and expands what is possible. You can't simply pick and choose what research will lead to commercial breakthroughs.”
“We wouldn’t have wifi if we didn’t have people researching black holes. Curiosity-driven research has incredible spin-offs.”
“The government must rule out cuts to curiosity-driven and public good research.”
Media Contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054