Ethical, well-funded scientific research can help improve our quality of life and our economic and social development. Research and clean technology is also an essential part of stopping climate change and creating green jobs. Government investment in science should be increased and simplified Scientists should be able to focus on science, not bureaucracy and administration. Base funding of salaries should ensure scientists and researchers enjoy job security. Public funding should focus on fundamental and applied scientific research, while private funding...

Climate Change Minister James Shaw has today released the Government’s Climate Action Plan in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the low emissions economy. “Our Government is committed to a just and rapid transition to a low emissions economy, because it’s vital that we play our part looking after our planet. We’re already taking action on many of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations. Climate change is an urgent issue requiring an urgent response, to ensure a stable climate for future...

The National Government’s research and development (R&D) funding system needs a massive overhaul in light of new information from Deloitte that some R&D Growth Grants don’t actually cover development spending, the Green Party said. A Deloitte report into the Government’s Callaghan Innovation R&D funding organisation’s Growth Grants found that funding agreements were “ambiguous and to a certain extent contradict[ed] the purpose of the grant" and that the “terms of the funding agreement specially prohibit a recipient claiming any development expenditure...