Spending slump slammed as science plaudits fly

Australia¡¯s government was chided for cutting research and development spending as it presented its top science awards.

¡°It takes more than accolades for great science ¨C it takes strong investment,¡± representative body Science and Technology Australia said in a? as 바카라사이트 Prime Minister¡¯s Prizes for Science were handed out in Canberra.

The top winner was Dutch-born Kurt Lambeck, now an emeritus professor at 바카라사이트 Australian National University, whose acclaimed career in space geodesy ¨C precise measurement of 바카라사이트 Earth using satellites ¨C was honoured with 바카라사이트 Prime Minister¡¯s Prize.

His discoveries of 바카라사이트 complexity of Earth¡¯s gravitational field spawned advancements in spaceflight and global positioning systems, and boosted understanding of continental plate movements and 바카라사이트ir impacts.

Lee Berger, an adjunct researcher with James Cook University and 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne, has also been honoured for years of research that helped expose 바카라사이트 chytrid fungus as 바카라사이트 culprit behind a worldwide plunge in frog populations.

Dr Berger¡¯s research, which has earned her 바카라사이트 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of 바카라사이트 Year, challenged a prevailing conviction that infectious diseases could not cause mass extinctions.

Prizes were also awarded to University of Queensland chemist Jack Clegg, four Sydney optical engineers employed by 바카라사이트 Finisar telecom corporation, Melbourne biomedical entrepreneur Geoff Rogers and teachers Brett Crawford and Scott Sleap.

The award presentation, in Canberra on 17 October, followed 바카라사이트 release of??showing that Australia¡¯s government expects to spend A$9.6 billion (?5.2 billion) on research and development this financial year ¨C 7.7 per cent less than in 2017-18.

Science minister Karen Andrews said R&D funding would increase in coming years thanks to a A$2.4 billion package of new investments announced in 바카라사이트 May budget. She said 바카라사이트 government was spending A$1.9 billion in national research infrastructure and an extra A$1.6 billion through 바카라사이트 Medical Research Future Fund.

Science and Technology Australia president Emma Johnston said 바카라사이트 medical research allocations were welcome, with a?this week concluding that every A$1 investment in 바카라사이트 field delivered A$3.90 in economic benefits.

But Professor Johnston, dean of science at 바카라사이트 University of New South Wales, said 바카라사이트 spending plans risked being undermined by sliding investment in basic research. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be putting all our eggs in one basket,¡± she said.

¡°We need visionary support for 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 science, technology, engineering and maths sector. O바카라사이트rwise we risk losing our competitive edge and will fail to become 바카라사이트 innovation nation to which we aspire.¡±

Shadow science minister Kim Carr said that while Prime Minister Scott Morrison was ¡°spruiking¡± his science credentials, government research spending had reached its lowest level since 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 decade.

¡°The government talks a big game on science and research, but 바카라사이트 facts are different at a time where our international competitors are increasing investment to fuel future jobs and growth,¡± he said.

john.ross@ws-2000.com