Senate puts Abbott on notice about research funding: Bandt
Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed the Senate’s support for research funding.
“It’s great news that the Senate has today passed the Greens’ motion calling for the Government to respect research by lifting research funding and not cutting it in the forthcoming Budget.
“In the lead-up to the Budget, the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet and put the Abbott Government on notice that any moves to cut research funding won’t have the Parliament’s support.
“Wi-Fi, the flu jab, the quantum bit: Australia’s research, development and expertise is world-leading.
“Our researchers & scientists are some of the best in the world. Australia’s prosperity depends on them and they depend on well-funded research.
“Today’s vote is a victory for the ‘Respect Research’ campaign, which has seen almost 10,000 people sign the pledge calling on the Abbott Government to protect research funding,” said Mr Bandt.
Please see the Respect Research website: www.respectresearch.com.au
Please also visit the #RespectResearch hashtag on Twitter
The Senate motion was moved by Senator Christine Milne yesterday:
I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that –
The Senate:
Calls on the Government to:
a. Respect research as fundamental to our country’s health and prosperity;
b. Maintain public funding for all areas of research in the May federal Budget;
c. Lift Australia’s total spending over time on research and development to 3% of GDP, a target also set by the United States;
d. Stop the ‘brain drain’ and back our researchers, scientists and educators by providing secure career pathways, more certain funding arrangements and the national infrastructure that equips people to make discoveries;
e. Respect academic independence as well as the process of peer-review and expert recommendations; and
f. Secure our future by ensuring that children get a better understanding of science and research at school.
Christine Milne
Leader of the Australian Greens
