DEMOCRATS' R&D POLICY ADVOCATES STRONGER ROLE FOR GOVERNMENT IN SUPPORTING RESEARCH STAFF
21 November 2007
The Democrats’ science and innovation policy released today, high lights the important role that government policies play in promoting a healthy culture of innovation, including improving the funding and support of research conducted in universities.
NTEU Policy and Research Co-ordinator, Andrew Nette, said:
“The Democrats’ policy shows the vital role that government plays in providing the appropriate policy settings and investing in research and innovation activity.”
“The Democrats are correct to say Australia needs to give its research, education and innovation industries the same priority and support as it currently does with wool or iron ore or wheat. Without these so called ‘smart industries’, Australia would fall behind in competitive global markets.”
“Despite some growth in Australia’s research and development effort over the last five years, our gross expenditure on research and development still remains 1.76% of GDP, leaving Australia ranked 16 out of 30 in the OECD.”
“We support the call to increase funding for basic research, the vast majority of which is carried out in universities. This research is often the necessary first step for later scientific and innovation breakthroughs and investment in it has been falling over the life of the Howard Government.”
“We also applaud the Democrats for recognising that more needs to be done to help one of the most important components of Australia’s innovation effort - the researchers themselves.”
“Increased funding of staff, including closing the funding gap between competitive grants and actual salary and support costs, reducing red tape for grant applications, and advocating improvements to fellowship and award schemes, demonstrates the Democrats are serious about supporting Australia’s research sector and the people who are integral to it.”
“NTEU commends Democrats’ Sciences and Research spokesperson, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, on her long running and unequivocal advocacy for the higher education sector.”
“Senator Stott Despoja has played a major role in ensuring that the concerns of those in the higher education sector have been heard, not only by various Governments but by the wider community.”
For information and comment
Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and Research Co-ordinator: (03) 9254 1910