- Cook Government secures $44 million to purchase a range of world-class tools to build home-grown scientific expertise
- Funding to grow the State's research capabilities and position WA as a leader in science and technology
- Investment aligns with priorities outlined in the Government's recently released 10-Year Science and Technology Plan
Western Australia's research sector has received a $44 million injection to provide world-class investigative equipment to help universities, government and industry groups continue to advance scientific research in key areas for the State.
Science Minister Stephen Dawson said the Cook Government was providing $14.8 million with an additional co-investment of more than $29 million from the Commonwealth's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program and local research institutions, including from The University of Western Australia and Curtin University.
The funding will be directed towards important research areas such as critical minerals, agriculture and food security, as well as defence industries and climate change.
Some of the WA-based NCRIS projects that will receive funding include:
- $2.6 million for AuScope - providing research tools for more efficient minerals exploration and processing;
- $2.5 million for Bioplatforms Australia - support for equipment and expertise to analyse agricultural proteins and to aid in breeding of plant types suited to WA's unique conditions, as well as genetic research with health, medical, environmental and agricultural applications;
- $1.5 million towards the Integrated Marine Observing System - to expand coastal and ocean monitoring, with data and research to aid in fisheries management, marine park management and to improve understanding of marine heatwave events; and
- $2.5 million for the Australian National Fabrication Facility - to upgrade facilities for projects such as the development of sensors for use in autonomous vehicles and applications in defence and space.
The remaining funding will be invested in the Australian Plant Phenomics Network, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network, and Microscopy Australia, with research conducted to help address a broad range of challenges, from climate change, food security and biodiversity decline to transport and urban planning.
This latest research infrastructure investment aligns with several priorities of the recently released 10-Year Science and Technology Plan for Western Australia.
This plan prioritises scientific and technological capabilities as drivers of the State's economic prosperity, societal wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
For more information see: Science and Technology Plan looks to the future
As stated by Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This latest investment by the Cook Government equips our local researchers with world-class research tools to help them address some of the biggest scientific challenges of today and the future.
"This includes maintaining resilient and secure food production, ensuring efficient critical mineral exploration and processing, and adapting to climate change.
"By maintaining a strong research and development capability in WA, our Government continues to drive both economic growth and innovation."
