BAMOS
Jun 2018
News
STEM a winner in this year’s budget
Budget news—2018/19 FY
Press release, Science and Technology Australia
8 May 2018
Science and technology has been given a much-needed boost
in the Federal Budget handed down today (8 May).
The peak body for science, technology, engineering and
mathematics—Science & Technology Australia (STA)—has
welcomed the support at a time where science and technology
is at a crossroads.
STEM highlights in the 2018/19 Budget include:
• Significant funding boosts for crucial scientific research
infrastructure has been complemented by major new
investments in medical research, and technology infrastructure. $1.9 billion for a national research infrastructure
investment plan over 12 years ($393.3 million to
implement the Research Infrastructure Investment
Strategy);
• $1.3 billion for medical research through MRFF including
$500m for genomics, $240m for frontier medical research,
$125m for mental health;
STA CEO Kylie Walker said the 2018 Budget indicates the
Government has moved towards positioning Australia as
a leader in global science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) research and innovation. • $536 million (about $150 million for research) for the
Great Barrier Reef
“The new commitment to $1.9 billion, with $393.3 million to
implement the Research Infrastructure Investment Strategy,
in research infrastructure following the National Research
Infrastructure Roadmap is very welcome,” Ms Walker said.
“And major commitments to technology infrastructure, medical
research ($1.3 billion), the Great Barrier Reef, and space science
($50 million) further strengthen the positive investment for the
future of Australia’s STEM sector,” Ms Walker said.
“A return to keeping pace with CPI (Consumer Price Index) is
very welcome for the Australian Research Council and other
research agencies like the CSIRO. We’re also pleased to see
specific measures to support greater participation by girls
and women in STEM, and ongoing investment in inspiring all
Australians to engage with science.
Other measures:
• Return to indexation for major research funding agency
Australian Research Council and other research agencies
• $70 million for the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
• $41 million for the Australian Space Agency
• $29.9 million for Artificial Intelligence capabilities
• $260 million for satellite positioning infrastructure and
imaging
• $4.5 million over four years for Women in STEM initiatives
Ms Walker said it wasn’t all good news though, with
STEM graduate rates threatened by continued capping of
commonwealth support for undergraduate places at Australian
universities.
“A refocus of funding for the Research and Development Tax
Incentive is another important step in supporting Australia’s
innovation future.” “Universities will need to find ways to meet growing demand,
while dealing with stagnant funding in the years to come.
As STEM degrees are some of the most expensive to run, we
don’t expect universities will have the capacity to increase the
number of STEM skilled graduates,” Ms Walker said.
Ms Walker said the investment in science and technology would
bolster the capacity for Australian science to support a healthy
population, environment, and economy. “Australia will need many more people equipped with STEM
skills in our workforce to compete internationally. This short-
term saving will be a loss for future generations.”
“The return on investment for science and technology is solid,
and internationally it has been proven to be an effective means
of securing and shoring up the economy,” she said.
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