News Alerts

Research agencies hit by funding cuts

The Federal Government’s two largest research organizations, CSIRO and ANSTO, have both received substantial funding cuts in the recent Federal Budget.

It is expected the cuts will lead to the loss of up to 100 jobs at CSIRO and 80 positions at the ANSTO.

Taking inflation into account, the impact on ANSTO will be a reduction of $4 million per annum including the efficiency dividend and removal of funding for a graduate program. This stands against increased costs of some $12 million for salary increases, utility costs and reductions in some external income.

In response, ANSTO has announced that an organisational restructure will occur to deliver around $10 million worth of savings, and a reduction of around 80 staff through voluntary and involuntary redundancies.

The Budget cuts coincide with the recommissioning of the OPAL reactor after nearly a year of shut-down following the discovery of faulty placement of fuel plates.

Budget initiatives for the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio include:

• $209 million over four years to double the number of Australian Postgraduate Awards.
• A $326.2 million investment over four years in Future Fellowships, to attract and retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers.
• $240 million over four years for new Clean Business Australia initiatives.
• $42 million over four years to provide funding to over 30 Business Enterprise Centres providing business advisory services to small businesses.
• Introduction of a Small Business Advisory Committee to help monitor regulation.
• $500 million over five years commencing in 2011-12 for the Green Car Innovation Fund.
• A range of savings measures aimed at contributing to the Australian Government’s savings plan and fight against inflation.

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CSIRO faces closures, reorganization and staff cuts

CSIRO’s funding has been cut by $63.4 million over four years in the 2008-09 Federal Budget. The cut includes $23.6 million from a one-off increase in the efficiency dividend (applied to 30 per cent of CSIRO’s direct government appropriation funding base) and $39.8 million from a further savings measure announced in the Budget that extends the coverage of the efficiency dividend to the other 70 per cent of CSIRO’s funding base.

CSIRO has responded to the funding cuts by announcing a series of cost-cutting measures, including closure of some research sites, the merging of the Textiles and Fibre Technology Division with the Materials Science and Engineering Division, and the reduction of around 100 staff. Programs of the Forest Biosciences Division will be allocated to several other divisions.

Closures include:

• The CSIRO Livestock Industries’ J M Rendel Laboratory in Rockhampton, which undertakes research on beef genetics and breeding tropical cattle. Some of the staff will be relocated to the Davies Laboratory in Townsville while those working on animal genetics and genomics will be moved to the Division’s Brisbane site. Research programs will continue at the Belmont Research Station.  Commenting on the closure of the Rendel Laboratory,the Chief of CSIRO Livestock industries, Dr Alan Bell, said that attempts to attract new co-investment in CSIRO livestock science or co-location from other Central Queensland research institutions had been unsuccessful and it was “no longer was possible for CSIRO to continue supporting a non-sustainable site”.
• The Merbein horticultural research laboratory near Mildura, with the loss of up to 30 jobs. Established in 1919 by local grape growers, the laboratory was taken over by CSIRO (then CSIR) in 1927 to become the origin of the Division of Horticultural Research. The laboratory has focused on citrus, dried fruit and wine research.

The Chief Executive of CSIRO, Dr Geoff Garrett, said that, in line with the organisation’s Strategy and Science Directions document, CSIRO will increase its investment in energy, water and climate change; in the research talent ladder development program; and in the areas of Transformational Biology, Advanced Materials, Computational and Simulation Science, and Sensors and Sensor Networks.

“There will also be redirection of funding from some near market and incremental research in the food production and supply domain to address more systematically issues affecting the long term viability of Australian agriculture and food production,” Dr Garrett said.

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Funding for climate change technologies

Funding of $75 million was confirmed in the Budget for the Climate Ready competitive grants program that was announced as part of the Labor Party’s Clean Business Australia election commitment.

Climate Ready will encourage Australian businesses to develop and commercialise products, processes and services that save energy and water, reduce pollution and use waste products in innovative ways.

Innovation supported by the Climate Ready program could include new technologies for water recycling, waste recovery or small-scale renewable energy; the development of green building materials to make homes more energy-efficient and more comfortable; and innovations to reduce the energy used by appliances, cutting emissions and household power bills.

Grants will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis, matching company spending on research and development, proof-of-concept and pre-commercialisation activities to develop solutions to climate change challenges. Funding will commence for the program in July 2008.

Final details of the program will be developed in consultation with stakeholders.

Climate Ready is part of the Clean Business Australia initiative – a $240 million partnership between Government and industry to deliver energy- and-water-efficient projects with a focus on productivity and innovation. Other programs under Clean Business Australia are the:
   • Green Building Fund; and
   • Re-tooling for Climate Change.

More information on this program can be found at www.ausindustry.gov.au

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Enterprise Connect Network takes shape

The Labor government’s $250 million Enterprise Connect network, promised in its election campaign, has been launched by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Car.

Ten Enterprise Connect centres will be established around the country to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with business and management advisory services and advice on technology andresearch.

Under the program, Manufacturing Centres will be established at Mawson Lakes South Australia, Dandenong Victoria, Burnie Tasmania, Sydney and Perth, with QMI Solutions in Queensland linked into the network. Business advisers at the Manufacturing Centres will offer free business reviews, best practice benchmarking of business and manufacturing processes, help in locating research, technology and organisational knowledge to improve products and efficiency, links to prototyping and testing facilities, and assistance in accessing government programs.

Implementation of the Manufacturing Centre network will be guided by an interim advisory board chaired by Jim Walker, CEO of Queensland's QMI Solutions.

There will also be five dedicated Innovation Centres – one for mining technology in Mackay, one for remote enterprise in Alice Springs, one for innovative regions in Geelong, one for creative industries, and one for clean energy.

More information is at www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au

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Strategic plan to be drawn up for pharmaceutical industry

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has commissioned the Pharmaceuticals Industry Strategy Group (PISG), chaired by Dr Brian McNamee, CEO of CSL Ltd, to develop a strategic plan to increase investment in pharmaceuticals research and development (R&D) and manufacturing in Australia over the next decade.

The Australian pharmaceuticals industry is defined as all those who contribute to the discovery, creation and supply of pharmaceutical products and services, including prescription medicines and vaccines. It covers from research through clinical trials, to manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. It includes the originator medicine sector, the generic medicine sector and the medical biotechnology sector.

The Pharmaceuticals Industry Strategy Group (PISG) will:

1. Examine the drivers and barriers to increasing productive investment in R&D, clinical trials and manufacturing activity in Australia. In doing so, the PISG can take into account the impact of, but is not required to report on, regulatory and reimbursement systems such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

2. Identify strategies to overcome the impediments and capitalise on the opportunities to attract investment in R&D, clinical trials and manufacturing activity in Australia that:
  a) Builds on Australia's competitive strengths;
  b) Identifies the actions that industry and Government should take to:
     i) increase manufacturing activity and investment in manufacturing infrastructure; and
    ii) increase R&D activity and investment in R&D infrastructure;
  c) Provides a well reasoned business case (consistent with the principles of appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, integration, performance assessment and strategic policy alignment) for how any proposed actions will attract new, internationally competitive and sustainable R&D, clinical trials and manufacturing investment to Australia together with an implementation timetable and key performance indicators; and
  d) Explains how the actions would make a net economic and/or social contribution to Australia by 2020.

3. Report to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research with a draft directions paper by 30 September 2008 and a final report by the end of December 2008.

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ATSE Clunies Ross Award winners

Winners of this year’s ATSE Clunies Ross Awards were announced at a presentation dinner in Brisbane earlier this month.
The Award winners are:

• Professor Iven Mareels FTSE, Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Dean of the Melbourne School of Engineering at the University of Melbourne for a revolutionary new approach to reducing water wastage through an IT-based management system for water in irrigation canals, promising to deliver 72 gigalitres of water savings annually in Victoria alone.
• Dr David Noon, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager - Technology and Sales of GroundProbe Pty Ltd in Brisbane for his continuous on-line system that integrates radar and visual images to remotely measure small movements of rock walls in large open-pit mines, preventing personnel injury and saving lives and equipment damage in open pit mines in Australia and overseas.
• Professor Colin Sullivan FTSE, Professor in Medicine at the University of Sydney and founder of the Australian company ResCare (later ResMed) who has played a central role since the mid-70s in opening the new field in medicine related to how sleep alters breathing and developed the therapies and technology which has saved many lives.
• Professor Stuart Wenham FTSE, Director of ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence at the University of NSW who has been a leader in photovoltaics research since 1981 and has taken silicon cell technology from the laboratory to the factory floor on a large scale, placing Australia at the focal point of renewable energy research and commercialization.

A special Lifetime Contribution award was presented to Emeritus Professor Raymond Stalker AO FAA FTSE, Division of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Queensland. As Australia’s first professor of space engineering, he has made the search for economical access to space the primary purpose of his career, demonstrating pioneering originality and persistence over more than 50 years

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CRCs recognized for SME collaboration

Two Cooperative Research Centres, the CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies and the CRC for Advanced Composite Structures, have been awarded the CRC STAR Award for achievement in helping to build successful small to medium enterprises through the transfer of CRC innovation.

The CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies was recognised for its collaboration with Process Group Pty Ltd and CanSyd Australia Pty Ltd to develop several technically and environmentally safe innovative carbon capture and storage and measuring technologies that have the potential to slash Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The CRC for Advanced Composite Structures developed new fire-resistant technology to coat existing composite materials which has been licensed by Regina Glass Fibre Pty Ltd for use across the composites market, in areas such as marine and ground transportation, where fire resistance is critically important.

The awards are amongst the annual CRC awards that were announced at the CRC Association Conference dinner in Sydney earlier this month. More information is at www.crca.asn.au 

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Victoria leads in Science, Technology and Innovation: report

The Victorian government has released a report which suggests that its actions on innovation have led to a world-class research infrastructure which is attracting leading international researchers and boosting economic competitiveness.

The report commissioned by the Victorian Government from Deloitte (Insight Economics) analyses the performance of Victorian Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) projects delivered by the State Government since 1999.

According to the report, in 1999 the Victorian S&T system was “in a state of decline, with outdated and inadequate infrastructure an acute problem”. Since then, the government’s funding programs have rebuilt the infrastructure and encouraged greater collaboration between research organisations and between research organisations and external stakeholders.

“As a consequence of Victorian Government funding, capability in science and technology has greatly improved. Quality infrastructure has acted as a magnet for quality people and a culture of collaboration has emerged. The sector is now defined by a sense of confidence and optimism.”

The report noted that during stakeholder consultations conducted in the recent review of the National Biotechnology Strategy by Deloitte Insight Economics for the Commonwealth Government, “a clear and consistent message emerged that Victoria is seen as the leader in life sciences research and more generally that the Victorian Government’s approach to funding science and technology is viewed as the template upon which other State’s are now modelling their behaviour.”

The report concluded that Victoria will need to continue its commitment to excellence in science, technology and innovation to ensure the future prosperity of the Victorian community, and it set out six principles to guide design of future support for science and technology.

The report is available at www.innovation.vic.gov.au

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Coral reef researcher wins Queensland Premier’s award

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Queensland. has been awarded Queensland’s mart State Premier’s Fellow for 2008.
The fellowship will direct more than $2.5 million to Great Barrier Reef research by Professor Hoegh-Guldberg and his team, with $1.25 million from the Queensland Government matched by sponsors including UQ, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Announcing the award, the Premier, Anna Bligh, said that Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg was one of the world’s first scientists to show how projected changes in global climate threaten coral reefs including the Great Barrier Reef.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg founded UQ’s Centre for Marine Studies and is Deputy Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. He said the overall aim of the fellowship would be better Great Barrier Reef management, based on strategies emanating from the latest science.

Ms Bligh also presented two researchers with Queensland Clinical Research fellowships:

• Associate Professor Maher Gandhi is Head of the Clinical Immunohaematology Lab at the Queensland Institute of Medical research and Consultant Hamematologist at the Department of Haematology at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Dr Gandhi is undertaking research on lymphoma – the 5th most common cancer among Australians.
• Professor Anne Chang is the Paediatric Respiratory Physician at Royal Children’s Hospital, Head of Child Health at the Menzies Health School and Associate professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at The University of Queensland. Professor Chang is undertaking research into the management of childhood cough.

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Consultation paper on Future Fellowships

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has called for response to a consultation paper on the development of the Government’s new Future Fellowships scheme.

The Future Fellowships scheme was an election promise and received funding of $844 million in the Federal Budget.

The scheme, to be run by the Australian Research Council (ARC), will offer 1,000 Australian and international mid-career researchers four-year fellowships of up to $140,000 a year. Host organisations will receive an additional $50,000 a year to support related infrastructure, equipment, travel and relocation costs.

The internationally competitive scheme will provide an incentive for Australian researchers based overseas to return home to continue their work and will attract leading international researchers.

The ARC will collaborate with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and other public research organisations in assessment of funding proposals. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a link between each Fellowship and the host organisation’s research strengths to ensure that they align with planning for renewal and expansion of the research workforce.
The closing date for feedback on the Future Fellowships Consultation Paper is 27 June 2008. The first round of Fellowships will be awarded in 2009.

For more information, visit www.arc.gov.au.

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Announcements

2009 Innovation Call - Land & Water Australia

Do you have an innovative solution to these problems in natural resource management?

Land & Water Australia invests, through this Innovation Call, in research projects to achieve the more sustainable use and management of Australia’s natural resources.

We invite innovative research proposals that address any of the following:

• Practical cost-effective techniques, suitable for emissions trading, for accounting for fluxes of greenhouse gases through agricultural and native terrestrial ecosystems, with a focus on soils.
• Impacts of climate and atmospheric change on vegetation water-use and recharge for the principal native vegetation classes of Australia.
• Improving the rigour and relevance of the metrics used in market-based instruments designed to allocate funds to natural resource outcomes.
• Social impacts of irrigation adjustment in the Murray Darling Basin in emerging policy and water markets.

Full guidelines and short application forms are available at www.lwa.gov.au/funding. For administrative enquiries email penny.worboys@lwa.gov.au (02 62636017); and for technical enquiries email stuart.pearson@lwa.gov.au.

Applications are needed by close of business Friday 27th June 2008. Electronic copies should be emailed to innovationcall@lwa.gov.au

Hardcopies clearly marked: Innovation Call Tenderbox. Street address: Level 1, Phoenix Building, 86 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612. Postal address: Land & Water Australia GPO Box 2182, CANBERRA ACT 2601.

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Call for nominations — NSW Scientist of the Year Awards

Call for nominations – NSW Scientist of the Year Awards

Nominations are invited for the inaugural, $45,000 NSW Scientist of the Year Award.

The NSW Scientist of the Year Awards will recognise and reward cutting-edge work that generates economic, health, environmental or technological benefits for NSW. Scientific researchers from NSW are encouraged to enter the awards and showcase their contributions to a better future.

Nine awards of $5,000 each will be granted to individuals in the following categories:

1. Environment, water and climate change sciences
2. Mathematical sciences
3. Physics & astronomy
4. Biomedical sciences
5. Plant & animal sciences
6. Chemistry
7. Computer sciences
8. Engineering sciences
9. Leadership in secondary science teaching

The main award of $40,000 for the NSW Scientist of the Year will be granted to the overall winner, selected from the first eight categories.

The ninth category will reward outstanding ability and leadership by a secondary school science teacher with the winner being offered a visiting placement at a NSW university.

Nominations for the Awards close on Friday, 20 June, with an awards ceremony to be held in September.

Download nomination form for the NSW Scientist of the Year Awards.

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Grants for international travel: International Science Linkages Programme — Science Academies Programme

Grants for international travel: International Science Linkages Programme – Science Academies Programme

                           

The Australian Academy of Science is inviting applications from professional scientists to visit Europe, North America (Canada, USA and Mexico) and North East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan) between 1 January and 31 December 2009 to collaborate with researchers in those countries.

Proposals in any field of natural science, basic and applied, including mathematics and engineering science, will be considered.

Applicants must propose a collaborative research project, or a specific activity, which has been developed in consultation with host scientists. Under this scheme applicants can request travel support to access international leading-edge small to medium research facilities and equipment.

Support will not be provided for costs associated with the use of these facilities or when the purpose if the visit is to attend a conference. The duration of the visits must be between 14 and 40 days.

This project is supported by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research’s International Science Linkages – science Academies Programme.

Information, deadlines and application forms are available on the web site: http://www.science.org.au/internat/programs.htm

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Further Education

Clinical Neuroscience Research Trials — Part 2

360844 Clinical Neuroscience Research Trials – Part 2

The Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs, University of Melbourne, in association with the NH&MRC - Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Neurosciences and the Florey Neuroscience Institutes, are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 4 day short course on Clinical Neuroscience Research: Neuroimaging and Disease Applications - Part 2, at the Austin Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital on June 10, 11, 12 & 13 2008

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

This course has been specifically designed for people already in clinical practice, who want to broaden their understanding of clinical neuroscience research and neuroimaging, improve their research skills and critical thinking about research questions before embarking on clinical research studies. Experienced clinicians in their first years of conducting clinical research will also benefit by updating their research knowledge and skills. In addition, this course will provide basic orientation in various clinical research methodologies applied to neuroscience for other professionals who are unfamiliar with the field of clinical neuroscience, neuroimaging or research.
Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience)
The 25 points specialist certificate is a Masters level award and is achieved by completion of the two four day subjects, Methodology & Disease Applications Part 1 and Neuroimaging & Disease Applications Part 2, with associated assessment. It provides full credit into the Masters program in Clinical Research.

Cost: $2,100 + GST

When: June 10, 11, 12 & 13 2008

Where: Melbourne venue

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:

• Kathy Lefevere on (03) 9496 2990 or email lefevere@unimelb.edu.au
• Mary Georges on (03) 9810 3185 or email m.georges@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

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Infectious Diseases

360845 Infectious Diseases

The Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs, University of Melbourne, is pleased to announce that we will be holding a 4 day short course on Infectious Diseases on Oct 27, 28, 30 & 31 2008.

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

Despite medical advances that have produced hundreds of drugs that are safe and effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, infectious diseases are still a major cause of death, disability and social and economic upheaval for millions around the world. This course focuses on clinical research to address diseases that are responsible for more that 90% of deaths from infectious diseases around the world every year.

Cost: $2,100 + GST

When: Oct 27, 28, 30 & 31 2008

Where: The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:

• Mary Georges on (03) 9810 3185 or email m.georges@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

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Applied Analysis of Clinical Trials

Applied Analysis of Clinical Trials

The Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs, University of Melbourne, is pleased to announce that we will be holding a 4 day short course on Applied Analysis on June 23, 24, 26, 27 2008.

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

This course has been specifically designed for people already in clinical practice who: want to broaden their understanding on the major statistical methods used in analysing data from clinical trials, perform analysis on such data within limitations, using an appropriate statistical package, understand the limitations and assumptions of such analyses, be familiar with the statistical terms used in the literature, interpret and explain to others in clear language the relevant information from such analyses & understand the advantages and weaknesses of repeated measures, crossover designs, factorial and blocked designs from a statistical perspective.

Cost: $2,100 + GST

When: June 23, 24, 26 & 27 2008

Where: The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:

• Mary Georges on (03) 9810 3185 or email m.georges@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

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Positions Vacant

Position Vacant - Project Officer

PROJECT OFFICER

• Organise & Coordinate
• Analyse, Synthesise & Present

Plant Health Australia Ltd (‘PHA’) is a national coordinating body that identifies and commissions projects and coordinates policy development to assist Australia’s plant industries respond effectively to the incursion of pests, weeds and diseases

Working with the company’s Program Managers, you will be responsible for providing administrative, technical and analytical support for programs and related projects in addition to leading specific projects. Your initial challenge will be to quickly gain an understanding of Australia’s various plant industries and how both state and federal governments interact with industry to form a national framework to make plant industries more efficient, competitive and sustainable.

THE ROLE

• Research and collate information on key pest threats and assist with the development and preparation of Farm Biosecurity Plans, National Biosecurity Plans and Biosecurity Reviews
•  Research information for inclusion in biosecurity training material and assist with training courses for company members
•  Assist with the preparation of reports on program/project activities and the presentation of such information to company stakeholders
•  Act as the company’s representative for specific meetings associated with program/project management

THE REQUIREMENTS

• General knowledge of Australian plant primary production systems – exposure to or interaction with both industry and government highly regarded
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to prepare and present reports and recommendations in a clear, concise and logical manner
• Ability to work independently and also operate as a positive and supportive team member
•  Relevant tertiary qualifications in biology, agricultural/rural science or equivalent

This exciting opportunity is well suited to an individual who has drive and enthusiasm, is receptive to new ideas, is willing to learn and displays flexibility to changes in work schedules and demands.

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General News

Retailers body calls for national retail trading

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has called on the Rudd Government to ‘come good’ on their promise to bring state and federal laws in unison by nationalising retail trading hours.

ARA Executive Director, Richard Evans, said that the Rudd Government needs to recognise the burden placed on retailers to manage Australia’s antiquated state trading laws and acknowledge consumers want access to goods and services upon demand.

“It’s inconceivable that in this day and age we have such diversity of trading regulations in Australia where in the ACT, for example, there are no restrictions of trade over Easter, yet in West Australia, the laws do not allow general retail trading on Good Friday or Easter Monday.”

“Kevin Rudd promised he would end the confusion with individual state legislation and trading hours is the easiest thing for him to fix. We call upon the Federal Government to lead the states in de-regulation of trading hours, and use the model of ACT and Tasmania for guidance.

“The range of complex trading laws across the country makes it difficult for national retail chains, franchises and department stores by adding to the complexity of sorting out rosters, wages, budgets, penalty rates and stock levels. Retailers deserve restrictions of trade lifted and consumers are demanding access to goods and services across the board and without archaic restrictions from state to state and city to city.

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