Labor cruels Govt for Dairy CRC rejectionAustralianFriday, 12 January 2007Labor has launched a stinging attack on the Federal Government's commitment to rural industries, after its recent decisions to dismantle both the Dairy and the Weeds Cooperative Research Centres. The Opposition's industry spokesman, Kim Carr, says the move shows the Government has lost the plot on national research priorities. Senator Carr says that in the case of the Dairy CRC, the results of an $85 million research program, including $70m from industry partners, are now in jeopardy. "The Dairy CRC has been acknowledged for its cutting-edge research in genetic markers and disease resistance, just as the Weeds CRC is recognised for its work in biological control of weeds threatening Australian pasture and broadacre farming," Sen Carr said. "Each enjoyed widespread support from farmer organisations, from research centres and universities. "So why are they being wound up when their research is beginning to bear fruit?" Sen Carr says these agricultural CRCs have fallen victim to "a Federal government that places supposed short-term economic gain above the national benefits of strategic long term research". He says the problem with agricultural research is not one of industries failing to invest in or support strategic research. But rather, he says the failure lies with the Government's emphasis on research producing short-term commercial outcomes. SOURCE: Rural Press National News Bureau, Parliament House, Canberra. |
