SYDNEY: Heralded by some as the most eco-friendly budget ever, the government's 2008 expenditure has received a mixed review from the scientific community.

Following the popular move to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in November 2007, the Rudd government has followed-through on its promises to fund research on tackling climate change, pledging over A$2 billion (US$1.86 billion) to the cause.

As promised pre-election, there will also be more funding for universities - but funding for science research was notably low this year.

Energy efficiency

“I have no hesitation in saying that it is the most environmentally responsible budget ever delivered in Australia,” said Barry Brook, the Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change at the University of Adelaide in South Australia.

However, he was quick to add that though these are steps in the right direction, they are just the beginning of a long process, and much more needs to be done for Australia to meet its targets.

Brook commended the government for looking at the broader problem of climate change, rather than focusing on small fry. “Previous governments used to take a more small scale approach to the issue, and then money would get frittered away,” he said.

Of particular note in the money allocated for the environment is an emphasis on encouraging energy efficiency. The government wants more people to switch to solar power, but the upfront costs of installing panels is high. To ease the burden, it is pledging $26 million in rebates.

Further grants are available for landlords to bulk out insulation in rental properties and $14 million has been put aside to encourage greater efficiency of electrical appliances. “This is a real no-brainer, and remarkably has never been adequately addressed in previous budgets,” said Brook.

Efficiency and 'clean' coal

However, in other areas, the Rudd government didn’t quite hit the mark. It is pledging $500 million to 'clean coal technologies', which many argue will just prolong the pain of giving up our addiction to fossil fuels. Furthermore, the government has made no mention of the need to reduce public subsidies encouraging the generation of greenhouse gases.

“I hope this crucial issue will be tackled in the forthcoming review of the tax system,” said Professor Ian Lowe, president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, who is based at Griffith University in Brisbane. “It has been estimated that the fringe benefits tax concession on company cars produces as much greenhouse pollution as a medium-sized coal-fired power station.

As for the funding scientific research, the government is making good on its election promises and pumping more cash into education and universities. It has created an $11 billion Education Investment Fund, which incorporates the $6 billion previously pledged by the Howard administration’s Higher Education Fund.

“In theory it sounds good,” said Kurt Lambeck, president of the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra. “They have doubled the money, but they have expanded the scope [of that fund] to include skills training,” so it remains to be seen if universities will actually see any more investment than before. However, the budget has also promised an immediate injection of $500 million to help universities upgrade and maintain dated facilities.

On top of this, the government hopes to encourage more people into a career in science with: $209 million over four years to double the number of postgraduate grants, and a $326.2 million investment over four years in 'Future Fellowships', meant to attract and retain the best mid-career academics.

Another $200 million has been offered to help conserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef.

CSIRO misses out

The budget also contains commitments to conduct large-scale audits of how money is spent in research institutions and universities, in order to apply funding more effectively. “The government needs to get a smart move on with these reviews, as funds are drying up” said Brook. “We do need more investment, and that wasn’t included in this budget.”

Scientists are now counting on seeing more funding for research in upcoming budgets. “If we don’t, I’ll be bitterly disappointed,” he said.

Despite the pledges for universities, there is no mention of improving science funding in schools, said Lambeck. “We need help to ensure there are people to fill these positions.”

Another loser was CSIRO, the Australian government research agency. This is in stark contrast to last year's budget, where the Howard government gave the agency a $2.8 billion boost in funding over four years.

The organisation said it will suffer cuts of $63 million cuts over the next four years, which may result in job losses and a reduced research output. The areas that are to be affected are yet to be outlined, but a CSIRO spokesperson said the cuts affect some projects started in the wake of last year's windfall.