Opinion-21 February 2001

The Funneled Web has been arguing that Science and Education planning must be multi-partisan if Australia is to have a potent infrastructure for the well being of its people. The vagaries imposed by sub-three-year governments stifle real vision in designing and implementing  policy. To date, at least in the public arena, there has been no evidence of a serious attempt by the political parties to reach a rapprochement. An immediate demonstration of the problems that arise in unilateral polices in this area is found in the current problems facing the US National Science Foundation.

The Bush Administration may not  request a budget hike next year for the NSF. Rita Colwell, NSF Director, while stating that would give the NSF "time to regroup," nevertheless urged that "those who believe strongly in science and engineering should make their voices heard." Dr. Colwell was speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco.
credit - NSF

The White House indicated that the NSF may get a 1% increase over the 2001 allocation, if that. The seriousness of the matter becomes apparent because the NSF on the basis of the 14% budget increase for this year, is in the process of developing far-reaching plans which include a new mathematics initiative as the centrepiece for the NSF's 2002 budget request as well as increasing student and postdoctoral stipends to A$48,000 and A$75,000-83,000 respectively. Increasing the number and average duration of research grants was also in the cards.

"The budget plans for this year are not very rosy," public affairs director Michael Lubell of the American Physical Society told the audience after Colwell's speech. "It would be very wise for you all to weigh in on this."

Well that didn't take long – Mr. Bush assumed the Presidency just one month ago.