Budget 2017 light on science
The Government has released this year’s Budget, with $250 million earmarked for science and innovation initiatives and
an extra $880m for health.
Finance Minister Steven Joyce delivered his first budget on Thursday: the National-led Government’s ninth budget.
The big ticket item was a $2b social investment initiative in the form of the Family Income Package, which encompassed an increase in tax thresholds for low and middle-income earners, an increase in the family tax
credit and a boost to the Accommodation Supplement.
Other notable changes included increased funding for the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki (replacing CYF) and the end of the funding freeze on RadioNZ.
The Science and Innovation sector will receive $255.6 million of investments over the next four years, mostly into
research outlets and funds, with $52.5m allocated through the Performance-Based Research Fund (PRBF), $81.9m over four years to the Endeavour Fund, and the previously announced $74.6 million to boost Callaghan Innovation.
Across the board, this was seen as a fairly standard budget for science and innovation, with climate change only getting
a $4m look in.
“Research costs around the world inflate rapidly... so it is vital that science and innovation expenditure increases
every year." said Dr Andrew Cleland, chief executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi. "Whilst increases in funds like the Performance Based Research Fund of
$52.5 million over 4 years are welcomed, we have to acknowledge that such investments are part and parcel of maintaining
competitiveness."
Other science highlights were bulked up Antarctic research, funding for 24/7 hazards monitoring, and a big boost for mental health initiatives. There will also be an increased EQC levy to replenish the Natural Disaster Fund.
The hazards funding was well received, with Professor Shaun Hendy, director of Te Pūnaha Matatini noting: “It is
pleasing to see the government follow through on increased funding for natural hazards monitoring, in spite of Gerry
Brownlee’s melt-down last year following the inadequate response to the tsunami that followed the Kaikōura earthquake."
Round up of the $255.6 million of investments over the next four years received by Science and Innovation, includes:
· $21m for Antarctic science and $9.6m for New Zealand’s presence in Antarctica, including developing a plan to redevelop Scott Base
· $19.5m to enhance earthquake, tsunami and volcano monitoring capability.
· $52.5m for research institutes, mainly universities, through the Performance-Based Research Fund (PRBF)
· $81.9m over four years to the Endeavour Fund – bringing the total contestable fund to $829.2m over the next four years.
Several pre-budget announcements were made earlier in the month, including:
· $74.6 million through the Innovative New Zealand programme to boost Callaghan Innovation’s research and development Growth Grants
· $21.3m toward the Battle for our Birds pest control campaign
· $26.7m over three years towards irrigation investment to better manage freshwater
· $5.2m to fund more teachers in priority subjects, including science, technology and mathematics.
The Health sector received an extra $3.9 billion over four years, taking total investment in Health up to $16.77 billion. Most of this will go straight to DHBs ($1.76b) and the rest:
· $1.54 billion for wage increases for our 55,000 care and disability support workers as part of the pay equity
settlement
· $205 million for disability support services. This includes $27 million which will go to the Enabling Good Lives programme
· $60 million for Pharmac to provide more New Zealanders with access to new medicines
· $52.3 million for emergency ambulance services
· $38.5 million to continue the roll-out of the bowel screening programme
· $100 million through the Budget 2017 Social Investment Package for innovative new mental health services.
Read our expert commentary on the 2017 Budget.