Budget 2006: Scientists welcome backing for R&D

A leading organisation that supports research for the public and private sector welcomed the Government's backing for research and development yesterday.

Anthony Scott, the Association of Crown Research Institutes executive director, said the multi-year funding and investment promised in the Budget "are the most critical developments in the science system for many years".

"If done well, these changes will encourage confidence from science staff, students, research and development organisations, sectors and investors."

The Budget included:

* $40 million over five years for Partnerships for Excellence, including capital expenditure for institutes in agriculture, innovation, technology and health.

* $47 million over five years for research and development links.

* $7 million to the Tertiary Education Commission to work with tertiary institutions towards research.

The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to raise the Performance Based Research Fund for tertiary institutions to $250 million by 2010.

Mr Scott said these measures would improve links between universities and industries, placing research, science and technology (RS&T) at the "heart of an innovative New Zealand reliant upon premium export products and processes".

He also welcomed the promise of $4.6 million for increasing the profile of RS&T.

"But it is also clear that the science community has to be even more vigorous in selling our message of creating value for New Zealand. Governments respond to public demands, and RS&T was simply not a major item for the public at the last election."