“It was a decision of the government”.

This “shrug of the shoulders” explanation from the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr best sums up Labor’s decision to cut funding to Cooperative Research Centres.

Under questioning from The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams in Senate estimates, Minister Carr said it was “only a 5 percent reduction” but admitted it will reduce the level of activity for the CRC program in the future.

Senator Williams said it is extremely disappointing that CRC’s, which research everything from feral pests to improving agricultural productivity, have been targeted and their research work is not as highly valued as it should be.

“$33.4 million has been slashed from the budget which means some CRC’s will not get funding in the next round. Under the Coalition, 70 CRC’s operated successfully, but under Labor that number has dropped to just 42.

A review by NSW Chief Scientist Professor Mary O’Kane in 2008 called for an increase in funding for the program, and Minister Carr himself described it as extraordinarily successful. Yet his support doesn’t extend to ensuring it has adequate funding.”

Senator Williams said the Gillard Government has also been tardy in establishing Collaborative Research Networks to enable 16 smaller Universities to build up their research capacity.

“The Government announced in 2009 that it would provide $51 million for the CRN’s, and an eventual budget of $114 million over five years. However, not one program has commenced, and already the budget has been halved.

Universities have had the rug pulled out from under them by a Government that is good at wasting money but is prepared to sacrifice research”, Senator Williams said.