13 May 2009

2009 Federal Budget roundup for the humanities, arts and social sciences - media releases and announcements.

Also see CHASS media release   Delivering on the innovation agenda

Innovation and research

Investing in public and private sector research and development.

More support for world-class university research and infrastructure including:

• funding for Sustainable Research Excellence in Universities initiative to help address the gap in funding for indirect research costs
• a new Joint Research Engagement program to support research between universities, industry and end users
• establish Collaborative Research Networks
• funding for Excellence in Research for Australia
• new funding for universities and research organisations for research infrastructure
• establish a new National Research Infrastructure Committee

Media release
A $3.1 billion investment in new ideas, industries and jobs
Senator The Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Encouraging business innovation

• Research & Development Tax Credit increases support for smaller firms with a 45 per cent cash credit and 40 per cent for larger firms

Joint media release
R&D tax credit to boost business investment
Senator The Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
The Hon Wayne Swan MP, Treasurer

Higher education

Reforms across the higher education and innovation sectors in response to the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education and the cutler Review of the National Innovation System.

Reforms to include:

• a phased move to addressing the gap in funding for the indirect costs of research
• major investment in highter education, research and VET infrastructure, through the Education Investment Fund
• additional recurrent funding over the forward estimates for higher education teaching, learning and research.
• indexation of research and learning and teaching groups to reflect real cost charges

Joint media release
A new era for Australian universities
The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education. Minister for employment and Workplace Relations. Minister for Social Inclusion. Deputy Prime Minister.
Senator The Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry Science and Research

The Government's Education Revolution will tackle the historic under-representation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in higher education in Australia.

• universities to receive funding to develop partnerships with schools and vocational education and training providers.
• review of the Higher Education indigenous Support Program

Media release
Reaching out to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education
The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education. Minister for employment and Workplace Relations. Minister for Social Inclusion. Deputy Prime Minister.

Arts and culture

Delivering on commitments and strengthening support for the arts and cultural sector with an investment of $63.2 million. The Arts Minister Peter Garrett announced new programs to support artists, increase access and promotion of the arts, and maintain existing programs.

• new funding through the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program to assist the sustainability of the Indigenous arts sector
• new funding to support the implementation of an Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct
• new funding through the ArtStart program to support young and emerging artists start a business
• new Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance Program to replace Art Indemnity Australia

Media release
$62.3 Million for arts and culture
The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Acknowledging the importance of Australia's scientific and cultural collections.

• Funding for an infrastructure project that enables national insitutions to collaborate in digitising their existing collections

Media release
Some good news in Australian Budget for the national collecting organisations
Collections Council of Australia Ltd

 

Helen O'Neil
13 May 2009