Science Academy welcomes hazard research funding

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Science Minister Chris Bowen of new funding for bushfire and natural hazard research through the Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs).

“The academy welcomes the government’s continued recognition of the importance of the cooperative Australian research,” said Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory.

“Research and innovation is vital to the economy and scientific evidence must also underpin policy. It is great to see strong support for ‘public good’ research that is so important to Australia and Australians.

“As a nation, we must build on our current investment in all science education and research to take forward and develop new ideas, both for the wellbeing of Australian people and to ensure that our nation remains competitive and productive.”

The academy’s science priorities were outlined recently in its pre-Budget submission to the Treasury, ‘Priorities for Australian Science’. The priority areas are:

• Long-term strategic investment in Australian science;
• Enhanced development and utilisation of our talented research workforce;
• Further investment in science and maths teaching;
• Augmentation of international science linkages;
• Ongoing investment in major research infrastructure;
• Provision of true research costs;
• Improvement of research productivity by reduction of the administrative burden.

“The academy calls on all parties to commit to bringing Australia up to speed with other OECD nations and increasing total research and development expenditure from 2.2% to 3% of GDP over the next four years,” Professor Cory said.

“It is essential that Australia continues to develop and use its science, talents, knowledge and skills to secure a better nation for all.”

The academy’s pre-Budget submission, and recent submission to the Senate inquiry into recent trends in and preparedness for extreme weather events, are available at www.science.org.au/reports/.