THE state opposition spokesperson for science and innovation has called for major changes in the portfolio after a series of significant funding cuts.
THE state opposition spokesperson for science and innovation has called for major changes in the portfolio after a series of significant funding cuts.
During question time last week, Science and Innovation Minister Troy Buswell confirmed the Science and Innovation Studentship awards and the WA inventor of the year award would not be run this year, but would be run in 2010.
Mr Buswell said the results of the Western Australian government's much awaited science and innovation review were currently under consideration and its recommendations would be released in the "near future".
The minister has had access to the review since June 30.
Mr Buswell said mismanagement by the previous Labor government had allowed the $72 million science and innovation fund, which had supported the inventor of the year award since 2006, to run dry.
Further cuts are expected in the department, with budgeted spending on science and innovation forecast to be more than halved from $85 million in 2008-09 to just less than $39 million in 2012-13.
Opposition spokesperson for science and innovation Kate Doust said Mr Buswell's lack of action would be costly.
"If they're dinkum about building this area up they should move more expeditiously and make some decisions," Ms Doust told WA Business News.
"This government has not added one single new dollar to science and innovation since it held office, and in fact the department seems to be on the decline.
"The government needs to recognise that this is a viable and sustainable area of current and future employment and it provides fantastic job opportunities."
Ms Doust said that, due to Mr Buswell's other ministerial responsibilities, the portfolio would be better served under another minister.
"My real concern is that (Mr Buswell) will not apply the appropriate degree of focus on science and innovation and it will just decline," she said.
"If the government is serious about building this up into a viable and sustainable area of work and opportunity for the state then they should give it to a minister who has the time to focus on it and actually demand the money."
