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The CRC Association sends out a regular email newsletter.

From the 8 May 2012 newsletter:

Science does well

Commitment to innovation maintained

The Federal Government has avoided cuts to Science and Technology in a tough Budget delivered tonight in Canberra.

University research has done well with a boost to the SRE. The ARC and NH&MRC have received increments in funding. The Cooperative Research Centres Program continues to drop for two years to a low of $146 million but then builds to $168 million in the last year of the forward estimates. The Collaborative Research Networks are restored to around $20 million following last year's cuts. New money becomes available in clean technology program as a result of the Clean Energy futures program.

"A big sigh of relief and a vote of congratulations to Minister Evans, quite frankly" was the reaction from CRC Association CEO, Professor Tony Peacock.

"We didn't get a boost to the CRC Program as we'd asked for" said Prof. Peacock "But the science and research budget has been preserved in a budget where many areas were cut, so that's a good outcome".

"My understanding is that the Prime Minister really recognises the importance of science and innovation and Minister Evans was able to hold the line in a tough situation. Look at the overall picture: we are in the midst of two major reviews of research by Simon McKeon and Ian Chubb and every area of expenditure was under intense scrutiny. Under those circumstances, this results augers well for the future."

"Research and innovation are critical to Australia's future productivity and prosperity.  We've seen significant changes at the way the Government is looking at science through the recent PMSEIC changes. Later this year, the Chief Scientist will provide a report to the PM including a national R&D Plan and then we'll see the biggest review of health research in many years come down. I interpret all these developments as confirming that innovation is squarely on the National agenda".

"Obviously we would like to see further support for end-user driven research like CRCs - the 2014 CRC program budget is after all $60 million lower than 2006's. But with the overall science and innovation budget intact or growing, we have a good base to continue to press our case" said Prof. Peacock.

Minister Evans will give a speech at Collaborate | Innovate | 2012 in Adelaide next Wednesday 16 May. Simon McKeon will deliver the Ralph Slatyer Address on Science and Society and Chief Scientist, Ian Chubb will speak on "What Australia Wants" in science. There is still time to register to attend this important event.

Prof. Peacock will speak on the innovation budget outcomes around 10.15 Wednesday morning on 666 ABC Canberra, following the Finance Minister, Penny Wong.

> Read more from the 8 May newsletter.

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