Federal budget for science and universities fails to inspire

With deep cuts to spending on universities and science already announced, and an election just four months away, the Australian budget delivered on 14 May has brought further cuts to federal spending on research.

Federal treasurer Wayne Swan did little to improve the overall picture for researchers, which is dominated by more than $3 billion in cuts to R&D tax concessions, student support and university funding that he has already put in place.

Swan announced a deficit of $18 billion and outlined measures that he described as providing a “sensible pathway to surplus” and an alternative to what he called "European austerity”.