70 leading Australian scientists have signed an open letter calling for increased science funding and a 25% tax on gas exports.
Australian science is in crisis:
- According to the Australian Academy of Science, Australia's science system is going backwards, risking national capability, driving talent overseas and eroding our global competitiveness.
- 800 jobs have been cut at the CSIRO under the Albanese Government in the crucial fields of health and biosecurity, climate, environment, agriculture and food with a further 350 more planned despite a recent increase in CSIRO funding.
- Recent funding increases to some areas of science in the last federal budget, including to the CSIRO, have come almost entirely from cuts to science elsewhere.
- According to Science and Technology Australia, Australia is facing a mass exodus of its science workforce with a third of surveyed workers saying they planned to leave the sector altogether.
Meanwhile, Australia Institute research shows the Federal government is forgoing around $17 billion dollars of revenue annually that could ensure Australian science is well funded, as well as other essential services like health, education, and housing.
"If the Australian Government imposes a 25% tax on the foreign owned corporations exporting our gas, Australia could return as a scientific powerhouse and there would still be revenue to boost funding to health, education, and housing, said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor at The Australia Institute.
"We used to talk about Australia punching above its weight on scientific research. Our scientists invented wi-fi, the cochlear implant, a vaccine for cervical cancer and vital contributions climate science and solar PV helping to transform the world's energy system.
"But since 2008, Australia's expenditure on research and development as a percentage of GDP has declined, while in other countries it has steadily increased.
"The Australian government is playing Hunger Games with science funding, almost all of the increases in science funding in the last budget came from cuts elsewhere."
Quotes from leading scientists and the open letter are attached
