Research Ministry to be introduced

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 17

Research Ministry to be introduced

By

PETER LUKE

in Wellington

A new Ministry will be , set up as part of a Gov- ‘ ernment move to intro‘duce competitive bidding for an increasing share of i research funding. . •, The Ministry of i ' Research, Science and ;, Technology will be formed by October I this , year, but no decision has .. yet been announced on i ' which Minister will have ■ . responsibility for it. L The role of the Ministry will be to advise on .. research, science policy , and priorities, as well as . to arrange for science -■ audit and opportunity reviews. ~ A foundation for ‘ research, science and .. technology will also be set up to provide further ad,vice. The Government also , yesterday announced the

setting up of two new funds, which will be allocated on a contestable basis. The Co-operative Research Fund is designed to improve cooperative work between science organisations by sponsoring research that involves a joint effort between universities, Government or company groups. An Industry Innovation Fund will encourage innovative research on the basis of proposals received from the community, including those from existing research associations. The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said the changes aimed to focus research efforts and to maximise growth opportunities in the New Zealand economy. The new Ministry, with

its independent advice, would be able to form science policy free from the operational pressures in existing departments such as the D.S.I.R. and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Not only will the new Minister be separate from the Minister in charge of the D.S.I.R. but it would not be someone whose portfolios included those with a science or research component. The Government is still considering funding for university research and for research into health and social sciences. One aim of the new structure is to avoid possible duplication of research between various science agencies. The new structure is the product of several reports including the Beattie working party on science and technology.