Deputy Greens Leader and Greens spokesperson on science, research and innovation Adam Bandt said the PricewaterhouseCoopers ‘The World in 2050’ report released today shows that the government’s policies on science, research and innovation have them on track to make Australia dumber and poorer. The report projects Australia will slip out of the G20 by 2050.

“The report proves that the government has Australia on track to wake up after the mining boom is over to find ourselves a hollowed out, uneducated quarry with nothing left to sell the world,” said Mr Bandt.

Greens Deputy Leader and industry spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today responded to news that Toyota will be cutting two-thirds of its Australian workforce.

“It is disappointing to hear today’s news that Toyota will be cutting up to 2600 jobs across the country.”

“Our thoughts are with the workers and the families of those affected by these cuts.”

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson on science and research Adam Bandt MP today said that medical research is at risk from Tony Abbott’s arrogance and internal Liberal divisions.

“Internal party tensions and Tony Abbott’s refusal to listen to the parliament is putting the medical research fund at risk,” Mr Bandt said.

Reports emerged today that a government backbench committee has vetoed legislation to establish the medical research fund.

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson on Workplace Relations Adam Bandt MP and Greens spokesperson on Infrastructure Senator Janet Rice today declared their support for the Tandara Spirit workers taking industrial action in Port Philip Bay and called on Tony Abbott to protect Australian shipping and jobs.

“By taking this action, the Tandara workers are not only standing up for their jobs – they are bringing important conversations into the public that the government has been ignoring," said Mr Bandt.

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson on Research and Innovation Adam Bandt said today redirecting funding to ‘commercially viable’ research would threaten critical areas of research in Australia.

“The discussion paper the government has released today will send a shiver down the spine of anyone involved in curiosity-driven or public good research in Australia,” said Mr Bandt.

“Unless the government increases the size of the pie for research, they will take money away from areas that it does not identify as a priority and give it to others.”

Deputy Greens Leader and Science & Research spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens spokesperson on Health, Senator Richard Di Natale today said it’s time for Tony Abbott to go to Plan B on his medical research fund.

“Last night, Tony Abbott tried to turn Australia’s top medical researchers into lobbyists for his unfair GP copayment,” said Mr Bandt.

“Our medical researchers should be spending their time doing what they do best. It is up to Tony Abbott to ensure they have the resources to continue their work in world-leading medical research.”

Greens to push for action - not words - on High Speed Rail

The Greens have called on the Minister for Infrastructure to immediately commence negotiations with state and local governments to reserve land for the route of the East Coast High Speed Rail. 

“This month marks 50 years of Japan’s Shinkansen high speed rail network,” said Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Innovation, Industry and Science Adam Bandt MP.

Tony Abbott has cut investment into science, research and innovation to the equal lowest level since records began in the 1970s, Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, said today.

"Analysis of recently released Treasury ‘Science, Research & Innovation Budget Tables’ reveals for the first time just how low the country's investment into R&D is falling and it's a truly shocking picture," said Mr Bandt.

Following the Senate voting in favour of a Greens’ motion on CSIRO cuts today, Deputy Greens Leader and Science spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said the Government should immediately reverse cuts to CSIRO’s AAH Laboratory, which conducts research into Avian Influenza, SARS, the Hendra virus and most recently Ebola.

“The Government must now immediately reverse its $111m cuts so that CSIRO’s AHHL can operate at its full capacity,” said Mr Bandt.

The Australian Greens will move amendments in the Senate to strike out Government plans to cut R&D incentives for large companies and instead put in place quarterly payments for small and medium size businesses eligible for a R&D tax incentive refund.

The Tax Laws Amendment (Research and Development) Bill 2013 is currently before the Senate and crossbench Senators will determine its passage.

“Tony Abbott is an economic wrecking ball and these cuts to research and development incentives prove it,” said Adam Bandt MP, Greens Research spokesperson.