Australia's research budget cuts draw flak

Sydney

AUSTRALIA is betting on plumbers and coffeeshop owners over scientists and researchers to drive the nation's next wave of economic growth.

The country that brought you refrigerators, black-box flight recorders, bionic ears and wi-fi will cut its research budget by 7 per cent over the next 12 months, and another 10 per cent in the following three years. At the same time, it's offering tax cuts and write-offs in this year's budget for small firms to buy equipment like espresso machines and lawnmowers as the centrepiece of a plan to build a "stronger and more prosperous Australia".