The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) today welcomed the release of the Productivity Commission's draft research report - Public Support for Science and Innovation - saying it reinforces the positive benefits of research for the nation.
The Federal Government commissioned the research report in March 2006, and is currently seeking submissions on the draft issued today (2 November).
AVCC President Professor Gerard Sutton said the report demonstrates that Australia is well served by public support for science and innovation.
"Importantly, the report recognises that research not only provides positive economic benefits, but also substantial social and environmental dividends," Professor Sutton said.
"It stands to reason, therefore, that the nation would get an even better return if it was prepared to invest more on research. For example, we believe there is a clear case for an increase in the block grants to universities to support research infrastructure."
The Productivity Commission's concerns about the cost/benefits of the proposed Research Quality Framework (RQF) are particularly relevant in the absence of a substantial increased research funding pool.
Professor Sutton said the AVCC welcomed the Productivity Commission's recognition of the difficulties associated with current "proof-of-concept" commercial arrangements for research within universities, and the need to provide universities with additional funding to help them demonstrate promising technologies so that they could more easily be commercialised.
Professor Sutton said that the draft research report would now be examined in detail and a response provided to the Productivity Commission.
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