CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall says just as science has been guiding Australia’s health response, it will also support the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“More than ever, science and technology are vital to driving Australia’s recovery and building future resilience,” Dr Marshall said.

“Now is the time to lean in to Australian innovation – to support local businesses to grow, create jobs and turn science into solutions. We have an opportunity to determine the new kind of Australia we want to emerge from this crisis.”

Dr Marshall welcomed the federal government’s Budget announcement for additional funding of nearly $460 million for the CSIRO.

The extra injection of funding in the 2020-21 Budget takes the Government’s total investment in CSIRO to $3.8 billion over the next four years – to ensure it continues its essential scientific research.

Vitally important role

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, who visited the CSIRO’s Black Mountain site this week, said this funding was central to making science and technology work for industry.

This is a key pillar of the Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, she says.

“CSIRO plays a vitally important role working with businesses to create new products and services and we want to back that crucial collaboration to turbo-charge job creation – both now and for our future.

“This increased funding for CSIRO will help make our businesses more resilient and able to scale up to take on the world – creating the jobs we need.”

Ms Andrews says the CSIRO is continuing to carry out vital work with global health organisations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.