grodscorp@grods.com
I can’t see how the government’s budget decision to slash CSIRO funding by $63 million can be anything but:
a) Bad policy and bad for Australia;
b) A slap in the face for science in Australia; and
c) An admission that the Labor policy to “revitalise” the CSIRO was non-core.
It is widely held that Australia is suffering a science and technology “brain drain” due to pitiful funding of research in this country, yet the Rudd government talks endlessly about things like strengthening industry, protecting agriculture from the effects of drought, and battling climate change through smarter energy generation. Unless we want to import the knowledge and technology required to meet these sort of challenges we must ensure that the CSIRO is generously resourced. And while corporate dollars should make up a portion of total funding the bulk of the money must inevitably come from the taxpayer purse unless government introduces serious incentives for corporations to invest serious money (while ensuring that commercial interests do not impact on the integrity of the research, of course.)
The CSIRO receives total funding of far less than a billion clams per year — pocket change for the kind of work they do — and the Rudd Labor government just tightened the belt even more despite promises to do otherwise. Very disappointing, Kevin.
Thursday 22 May 2008, 9:32 am #notallright
really they did that? ffs what a great way to move deeper into the 21st century. after howard removed the tax breaks for r&d this will make sure we have minimal private and public research.
what a bunch of tools.
Thursday 22 May 2008, 11:18 am #jeremy
it probably won’t matter because the boffins at CERN are going to obliterate the planet in june anyway.
Thursday 22 May 2008, 12:02 pm #jimmy
Gee it’s almost as though democracy is an illusion and no matter who you vote for, you ultimately end up with the same social forces pulling the strings. New Leadership? Fresh Ideas?
Thursday 22 May 2008, 12:31 pm #The Suit
Howard treated the CSIRO with contempt and the-then Labor opposition continually condemned the continuing cut backs to R&D funding.
We should not be suprised Labor are now doing the same. This goes against all of Labor’s talk of incresing productivity.
It’s time people realised there is no such thing as a political white knight in shining armour.
Thursday 22 May 2008, 6:47 pm #Goobermetrics
Why develop useful things like WiFi when you can dig shit out of the ground?
Thursday 22 May 2008, 6:49 pm #The Editor
Can you dig porn out of the ground?
NO!
Thursday 22 May 2008, 9:09 pm #Bron
I’m spooked Jeremy mentioned CERN when, in desperation for something to read last night, I picked up my mum’s copy of Dan Brown’s, erm, riveting “Angels and Demons”. All about CERN and the Illuminati and shit.
OK, I admit it — I’ve read The Da Vinci Code as well.
Friday 23 May 2008, 10:08 pm #notallright
actually editor friends of mine loved some scene in an old shock movie. i think it was shocking asia. an african tribe dug holes in the ground and fucked it as some fertility ritual. so maybe you can. and it’s always dirty when you dig!!!