Budget delivers modest funding increases for CSIRO

A new Quadrennial Funding Agreement for CSIRO, announced as part of the 2011 Federal Budget, delivered modest funding increases to Australia’s premier government science and research organisation. The Agreement provides an average annual increase of 1.6% over the next four years in CSIRO’s appropriation funding from the Federal Government.

“The funding certainty is welcomed, but the modest increases will lead to job losses unless external revenue grows,” CSIRO Staff Association President Dr Michael Borgas said.

The Budget papers indicate CSIRO’s staffing level will be maintained in 2011-12.

“Appropriation funding will increase by only 0.6% in 2011-12. This means that revenue from other sources will need to increase by 7.6% to maintain the same staffing level. Staff will be expected to achieve higher external earnings targets and do more with less resources.”

The overall trends show that support for government science continues to stagnate in our economy, with real annual growth averaging less than 1%, compared to growth of 6% and 9% respectively in the university and business R&D sectors over the past 25 years.

“The Australian public wants CSIRO to prosper and continue to provide solutions to our biggest national challenges like climate change, renewable energy and water resource management. If we are serious about moving to a clean-green innovative economy, more investment in government science is required.” said Dr Borgas.

For comment: Michael Borgas 0400 306 166 Sam Popovski 0417 474 163