Matthew BoyleThe Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering ( ATSE ) commends the government’s commitment to advancing Australia’s clean energy development, as reflected in Tuesday’s Federal Budget. CEO Kylie Walker highlights the significance of prioritizing research and development (R&D) funding, particularly to bridge the gap with leading nations in technical innovation. ATSE emphasizes the importance of supporting STEM education to cultivate the workforce needed for future industries. Furthermore, the budget’s allocations towards climate change initiatives, including decarbonization efforts and environmental projects such as the Murray-Princess Basin Plan, are welcomed. Investment in digital technologies, evidenced by funding for artificial intelligence adoption and First Nations online inclusion, is recognized as essential for national progress. ATSE applauds the government’s comprehensive approach to addressing key sectors like education, industry, and research, ensuring Australia’s competitiveness in the global landscape of smart city innovation and IoT.
Federal Budget Emphasizes Clean Energy and R&D, says ATSE CEO
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering ( ATSE ) says Tuesday’s Federal Budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to developing Australia’s clean energy system.
” ATSE even welcomes the reported review of Australia’s research and development system, as recommended in ATSE’s prior- budget submission”, said CEO Kylie Walker. It is crucial that this work be started in order to fill in the missing time and to bring Australia closer to nations at the forefront of technical innovation.
The independent, non- government, no- for- profit Canberra- based group says Australia lags behind the United States, Japan, and Germany, who all spend more than 3 % of their GDP on the research and development that powers their economies.
” Investments in battery manufacturing, clean green hydrogen production and essential minerals processing are central to the nation’s online- zero ambitions. These are the areas where we have a comparative advantage in the world supply chain, which are essential for employment in the future, Walker said. But, it is crucial for the government to acknowledge that the development of these industries will just be possible thanks to a robust and well-funded science and technology sector.
ATSE Applauds University Reforms Supporting Equity and STEM Education
The Academy even supports the AUD 1.1 billion over five years for the universities Accord’s second stage reforms, which place an emphasis on equity and access to higher education. This includes the previously announced measures to limit the indexation of HECS-HELP loans and pay for some selected student placements.
“We applaud the creation of a needs-based funding system that supports students who would normally miss out on a university education. We look forward to working with the government to create a system that supports underrepresented students and prepares the STEM workforce of the future,” said Walker. In recognition of the severe shortage of engineers whose skills will be crucial to the transition to fresh energy, ATSE welcomes support for teaching students to take their paid work placements and asks the Government to extend this support to university engineering students.
ATSE expressed satisfaction with the budget’s budget announcements as well as the next measures:
Decarbonisation:
- AUD63.8 million over ten years from 2024–25 to support agro and land- based emission reductions,
- An extra AUD76.2 million over five years from 2023–24 to support Australia’s engagement in global climate change and energy transition issues and a bid to co- host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific, and
- AUD399.1 million over five years for the Net Zero Economy Authority, including workforce transition support.
Water and environment:
- Funding over five years from 2023–24 to continue implementing the Murray- Princess Basin Plan, and
- AUD174.6 million over six years from 2024–25 to deliver fresh water infrastructure projects, and AUD26.1 million will be used for First Nations water infrastructure projects.
Education and skills
- AUD91.0 million to develop the fresh energy workforce
- AUD10.0 million in 2025–26 to establish a National Hydrogen Technology Skills Training Centre,
- As part of Universities Accord reforms, AUD27.7 million to break down barriers between higher and technical education,
- AUD38.2 million for programs to increase diversity in STEM,
- AUD101.8 million over seven years from 2024–25 to build a workforce to support the delivery of Australia’s radioactive- driven submarines,
- AUD33.5 million over the course of six years for initiatives aimed at boosting local industry and workforce capacity.
- AUD4.4 million in 2024- 25 for technical education and training support, including the creation of 15, 000 fee- completely Universities places and 5, 000 places for pre- apprenticeships,
- AUD18.7 million over four years from 2024–25 ( and an additional$ 28.8 million from 2028–29 to 2034–35 ) to introduce a national higher education code responding to gender- based violence,
- AUD55.6 million to launch the Building Women’s Careers program to create architectural and cultural change in adult- dominated workplaces.
Industry and research
- For the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre and Future Battery CRC, AUD549 million over eight years will be awarded, and AUD20. 3 million over five will be awarded, respectively.
- AUD7.1 billion over 11 years in important minerals processing tax incentives,
- AUD8 billion in ten-year tax incentives for solar hydrogen
- To support the offshore oil and gas decommissioning strategy, AUD6.8 million will be provided over the course of two years.
- The Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund’s inclusion in the future estimates,
- an additional AUD1.4 billion over 13 years from 2024–25 through the Medical Research Future Fund ( MRFF ) to continue to invest in life- saving medical research in Australia, and
- To continue the development of the National One Stop Shop for clinical trials and mortal research, AUD18.8 million will be spent over the course of two years starting in 2024 and advancing through AUD18.8 million.
Digital technologies
- AUD39.9 million to support the safe and responsible adoption and use of artificial intelligence ( AI ) technology
- AUD68 million for First Nations online inclusion, including the role out of WiFi for rural communities and a First Nations Digital Support Hub.
