MYEFO focuses on the short term where long-term strategy is needed

Australia’s leading tech and engineering academy said that today’s mid-year budget update gives the Australian STEM community both cause for concern and relief – and overall points to an urgent need for long-term strategy and funding.

Following the release of MYEFO today, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) expressed deep concern about flagged cuts to the Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund.

“While the Government haven’t made clear yet exactly where savings will be found, we know that this is an incredibly important program, supporting international scientific collaboration and diplomacy precisely where it’s needed the most,” said ATSE acting CEO Peter Derbyshire.

“The Global Science & Technology Fund is the main way the Australian Government supports international scientific collaboration – so any reduction in funding will hit hard.

“The Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element, which ATSE delivers in partnership with the Australian Academy of Science, is a proven program with consistently high demand.

“It’s supercharging impactful international collaborations and bringing new tech closer to widespread implementation.”

The first round of the Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element has supported teams developing hydrogels for more effective reconstructive surgeries, advancing next-generation solar cell manufacturing, creating novel rare-earth magnets, and using AI to help design carbon neutral construction methods.

“Now is the time to lean into our international scientific connections, not cut back on them.

“Australia has so much to offer the world – and in return there is so much the Australian research community can get when they’re supported to collaborate internationally.”

On the other hand, ATSE welcomed the $233 million over two years in extra top-up funding for the CSIRO.

“We know that investing in Australia’s national science agency is a proven way of lifting productivity, and every dollar invested in CSIRO can return many times more to the economy over time,” said Mr Derbyshire.

“While the one-off funding boost in today’s MYEFO is welcome, long-term funding to ensure the sustainability of Australia’s national research agencies will be needed in the May budget.

“We know that the Government understands the significant funding challenges faced by government research agencies and are aware that more needs to be done.

“We also welcome additional funds for nuclear research agency ANSTO, another agency that has seen an ongoing erosion of funding in real terms, and look forward to any additional measures in the May budget."