Academy claims more science investment needed

The Australian Academy of Science has presented a submission to the National Commission of Audit, arguing that Australia’s investment in science is moving backwards.

The academy’s Secretary for Science Policy, Professor Les Field, said, “Australia is going backwards while other governments around the world have recognised that investing in science is essential to increasing resilience, productivity and competitiveness, and is fundamental to ensuring future prosperity.”

Professor Field said strategic support for science, technology and mathematics is “essential to achieving the goals set for the National Commission of Audit”. He explained that an investment in science and innovation would help solve the problems of tomorrow, thus helping to create a strong economy and ensure long-term budget sustainability.

Professor Field noted that the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship scheme and other programs are set to expire next year. Minister for Education Christopher Pyne has described ARC research as the lifeblood of many of the most significant research endeavours in the country and its Future Fellowship scheme as enabling researchers to make a crucial contribution to solving major problems.

Thus, said Professor Field, “We must find a replacement for this successful program and stop the potential brain drain before it builds up a head of steam.” Otherwise, he says Australia’s best researchers will have limited opportunities in Australia and will move towards careers offshore.

Previous long-term funding schemes for major national research infrastructure have also come to an end, leaving facilities underfunded and at risk of closure. These facilities were granted brief reprieve in the last budget with short-term funding, but Professor Field says this is “an inefficient way to fund research infrastructure”.

“We need to find a long-term sustainable plan to properly operate and maintain Australia’s major research facilities,” Professor Field said.

The academy’s submission to the National Commission of Audit is available here.