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ATN WELCOMES NATIONAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

09 May 2018

The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) welcomes the $1.9 billion National Research Infrastructure package for Higher Education in the 2018-19 Commonwealth Budget in line with the delivery of a world class research system which continues to improve in productivity, create jobs, lift…

The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) welcomes the $1.9 billion National Research Infrastructure package for Higher Education in the 2018-19 Commonwealth Budget in line with the delivery of a world class research system which continues to improve in productivity, create jobs, lift economic growth and support sustainability.

After a 12 month consultation period, the ATN is pleased that the Government has committed to invest funds for research infrastructure providing much needed certainty to our universities and publicly funded research organisations. We look forward to seeing the Research Infrastructure Investment Plan.

ATN Executive Director, Renee Hindmarsh says “Research has the potential to transform the way we live and ensure that Australia stays internationally competitive. It is a critical component of Australian universities and a cornerstone of Australia’s third largest export sector.”

“Research infrastructure investment will inspire new discoveries to address real-world problems, and most importantly deliver significant economic, social and cultural benefits to local and global communities,” says Ms Hindmarsh.

With more than two-thirds of the ATN’s research income coming from industry and end-users since 2010, we sincerely hope that the changes to the R&D tax incentive do not hinder efforts to boost collaboration between industry and universities.

The ATN is disappointed that the Government is again seeking to add additional cost pressures to universities through the imposition of new TEQSA and HELP levies.