Hon. Kate Doust questions a significant budget reduction (54%) for science, innovation, and technology compared to the overall cost of services (20%). Hon. Helen Morton attributes the reduction to expiring grant programs from the previous government, asserting continued commitment to science and innovation.

AnsweredQoN 778Legislative Council
Asked
18 August 2009
Portfolio
Science and Innovation

QuestionView source ↗

science, innovation and technology — budget
(1) Will the government outline why the forward estimates over the next five years show a reduction of 20 per cent in the total cost of services, but a 54 per cent reduction in the cost of services for science, innovation and technology? (2) How does the government reconcile this reduction with its statement on 13 August 2009 that the minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia? Hon HELEN MORTON

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The reduction in the cost of services for the science, innovation and business division is largely a consequence of several grant programs of the previous government expiring or winding down. Total funds for these existing grant programs have not been cut. (2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.
(2) How does the government reconcile this reduction with its statement on 13 August 2009 that the minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The reduction in the cost of services for the science, innovation and business division is largely a consequence of several grant programs of the previous government expiring or winding down. Total funds for these existing grant programs have not been cut. (2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The reduction in the cost of services for the science, innovation and business division is largely a consequence of several grant programs of the previous government expiring or winding down. Total funds for these existing grant programs have not been cut. (2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The reduction in the cost of services for the science, innovation and business division is largely a consequence of several grant programs of the previous government expiring or winding down. Total funds for these existing grant programs have not been cut. (2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.
(1) The reduction in the cost of services for the science, innovation and business division is largely a consequence of several grant programs of the previous government expiring or winding down. Total funds for these existing grant programs have not been cut. (2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.
(2) The minister is committed to science, innovation and industry development in Western Australia, as demonstrated by the fact that funds for science and innovation have not been cut. This commitment has been further demonstrated by the government’s comprehensive approach to the science and innovation review.

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