11. DAVID SHEARER (Labour—Mt Albert) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
Is the Government reconsidering the question of tax credits or an equivalent incentive for research and development?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
The Prime Minister said in his statement to Parliament on 9 February that science and innovation and how they underpin business opportunities are so important for this Government that “we have made science and innovation a priority for new spending in this year’s Budget, and we are focused on boosting business research and science capability.” The member will have to wait for Budget announcements for the actual decisions.
Does he agree with the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Gluckman, who said at a select committee today that we need a significant shift in private-sector research and development spending; if so, what actions has he taken to achieve that?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
I think it is widely agreed that business does need to invest more in business innovation. As I said, there are Budget announcements ahead that will deal with some of these issues.
Louise UpstonWhat initiatives has the Government undertaken to support science and innovation since the 2009 Budget?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
The Government has done a number of things. Firstly, the Government appointed Professor Sir Peter Gluckman as the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor. Secondly, it realigned the funding system with its economic growth priorities. Thirdly, it has implemented the recommendations of the Crown Research Institute Taskforce, which was very well received. Fourthly, it is merging the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the foundation into a new agency to administer science policy and funding. Fifthly, it has established the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes. And there is more to come.
Does he share the concerns of Dr Andrew West, the chief executive officer of AgResearch, who said: “There’s been a lot of talk about extra money in last few years but there’s been no serious allocation from the Primary Growth Partnership.”, and said, following the recent loss of 36 AgResearch jobs, that “Jobs will also go in dairy foods, food safety, parasitology, reproductive biology ”, and I could go on; and how does he justify these delays in the Primary Growth Partnership?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
Decisions will be made in relation to the Primary Growth Partnership. Of course, it is the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture. In relation to the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, the recommendations of the Crown Research Institute Taskforce deal with quite a number of the issues that the member has raised.
How much money have the various Crown research institutes received so far from the Primary Growth Partnership?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
I will have to provide a precise answer to that. But the application process is really only just in train at the moment, because the applications have to be considered.