Media Releases 2007

27 March 2007

Pressures on university research infrastructure identified

Infrastructure pressures in Australian universities and stresses across the system stemming from underfunding have been identified in today’s release of the Productivity Commission Research Report – Public Support for Science and Innovation.

Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC) President Professor Gerard Sutton welcomed the release of the report as a timely reminder of the importance of public support for science and innovation for the economic, social and environmental future of Australia.

“There is evidence in the Report that provides strong argument for increasing Government investment in science and innovation,” Professor Sutton said.

“The Report’s findings affirm the AVCC’s representations to the Productivity Commission, in particular concerns regarding the current infrastructure funding for universities which provides the platform for science and innovation.

“The AVCC recommended to the Productivity Commission that the Government fund increased research infrastructure block grants to better support basic research and research training.

“A strong national science and innovation effort is critical to the strength and dynamism of Australia’s economy and society.

“Both public and private investment in our innovative people and institutions is needed if Australia is to keep up with the accelerating pace of growth of new knowledge and its application around the world,” Professor Sutton said.

The findings of the Report support the AVCC’s call for greater investment in Australia’s future through our universities, and the AVCC will continue to work with all political parties to achieve this end.

-ENDS-

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