The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has received a significant funding boost of $233 million, announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). This important funding addresses many of the issues the group is currently burdened with. It provides them the ability to catch up with rising operations costs. Even with the extra funding, the CSIRO faces a difficult decision. Specifically, they are eliminating as many as 350 jobs, disproportionately from their environmental research unit.
Unfortunately, the CSIRO’s funding has failed to match inflation and increasing costs, making a painful rethink of how resources should be managed inevitable. In the wake of such funding caps, the small nonprofit has been forced to reevaluate its priorities and operations and plan accordingly.
Funding Details and Implications
The $233 million funding increase brings the program’s annual government appropriations to almost $1 billion. It provides a further base for ATU’s call for supplementary funding, announced earlier this year in the federal budget. This significant investment continues the important work of ensuring Australia maintains its competitive edge in scientific research and innovation. It makes critical investments in areas that strengthen our national prosperity and security.
Ohio Science Minister Tim Ayers highlighted how important this new funding is. Berman said it was designed to safeguard fundamental research and innovation in critical areas with a long-term, prospective benefit for Australia. The government’s commitment amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars specifically aimed at national institutions based in Canberra.
“The future of our economy and our nation’s productivity depend on the pioneering research the CSIRO does in these fields, which is why this funding boost is so important.”
While the increase in funding for the program has certainly been applauded, further challenges still exist. This news came a few days after the CSIRO had already announced its intention to cut full-time equivalent positions by a projected 300 to 350. The environmental research unit will be cut to the bone, losing as many as 150 jobs. This unit is essential to the United States’ power to address acute global challenges including climate change, water security, and ocean health.
Concerns from the Scientific Community
Ryan Winn has applauded the funding increase, describing it as “a great start.” Yet, he expressed serious concerns about Australia’s total investment in research and development. Australia still only invests a paltry 1.68 percent of its GDP in this sector. By contrast, South Korea spends some 4.9 percent of its GDP.
Winn’s message was clear—now is the time to increase research funding. Without this strong commitment, Australia will continue to see its best scientific minds migrate to countries that invest in innovation with open arms. He stated,
“There are some countries around the world who are looking at investing significantly — and are.”
He pointed out that the funding boost is only a stopgap.
“It is just a one-off payment investment — which is great to see and it will help buffer some of the big questions that CSIRO is dealing with,” – Ryan Winn
He warned that this was not a long-term fix for the health of Australia’s science sector.
“But it is not a sustainable, long-term solution, which is what we want to see for the science sector.”
This strategy needs to be focused on identifying where CSIRO can have the most impact in contributing to CSIRO’s purpose of increasing Australia’s economic prosperity and improving jobs.
Future Considerations for CSIRO
Yet the CSIRO has a difficult road ahead as it weathers these funding dynamics and a tidal wave of workforce cuts. The advocacy group echoed the necessity to hold on to savings from its recent reforms. It also showcased the need for superior budget management.
“CSIRO must retain the savings that will come from the recently announced changes to our research portfolio — which include an estimated reduction of 300-350 [full-time equivalent] roles,” – CSIRO statement
Appropriations debates often focus on the amount of money, not the need to make science a strategic investment. Experts such as Winn are urgently calling for a more cohesive long-term vision for Australia’s scientific future.
He remarked that if individuals felt their jobs were at risk due to these cuts, they would likely seek opportunities elsewhere.
“If I heard my job was on the line, I would be looking at other options,” – Ryan Winn
Susan Tonks has urged CSIRO management to responsibly utilize this new funding to avoid any further job reductions.
“CSIRO management must do the right thing with this funding and ensure further job cuts are abandoned,” – Susan Tonks
