Funding for the Australian Biological Resources Study - 1

Letter to Senator the Hon. Robert Hill (1)

18th December 1996

Dear Senator Hill

Funding for the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS)

I write to you as a member of the Executive Committee of the new Society of Australian Systematic Biologists. This Society represents the interests of 150 systematic and evolutionary biologists throughout Australia, including botanists, zoologists, parasitologists and mycologists. These professional scientists are responsible for all of the studies on the taxonomy and biodiversity of Australia's biota.

The Society has recently become aware of the drastic financial cuts imposed on the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Funding for ABRS in 1996-1997 is $2.685 million, as opposed to $3.38 million in 1995-1996; and there is the expectation of further cuts in future financial years. The immediate consequences for ABRS are a reduction of 21% in Participatory Program grant funding ($1.51 million as opposed to $1.9 million) and 60% in operational funds across ABRS. The cut in operational funds will have a most serious effect on the ABRS Publication Program, especially in the long term, through reduction in editing resources (including the potential discontinuation of the Algae of Australia series) and the funds for printing costs.

As you will be aware, ABRS is central to the continuation of research into the diversity of Australia's living resources, and it has an enviable record developed over the last 20 years that is a model for many other developed countries. ABRS is essential to the funding of basic taxonomic research on Australia's plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms, the production of catalogues of animal and plant species, and the publication of the Flora of Australia, Fungi of Australia, Algae of Australia and Fauna of Australia series of books.

The Society of Australian Systematic Biologists strongly urges, given the pivotal role that ABRS plays in research and the documentation of Australia's biodiversity, that its funding be returned to pre-1996 levels and be increased in future years. The Society of Australian Systematic Biologists is also concerned that ABRS is not listed to be funded under the National Heritage Trust, and yet this funding fits ideally with the present Government's statements regarding the objectives of this Trust.

I look forward to your reply to this matter, which is fundamental to all Australian systematic and evolutionary biologists.

yours sincerely

Dr David A. Morrison
Executive Committee
Society of Australian Systematic Biologists

Reply from Senator the Hon. Robert Hill (1)

25th February 1997

Dear Dr Morrison

Thank you for your letter of 18 December 1996, on behalf of the Society of Australian Systematic Biologists, concerning funding levels for the Australian Biological Resources Study.

I appreciate your concern for the future of the Australian Biological Resources Study and its publications, including Algae of Australia, and for taxonomic research generally. Let me assure you that I am conscious of the importance of taxonomy in providing information that is basic to the management of biological diversity and that I recognise the important role played by the Australian Biological Resources Study in this respect.

As you would be aware, the Government has been obliged to make significant Budget cuts in order to turn around the unsatisfactory financial situation which we inherited. This has required all departments and agencies, including Environment Australia, to make substantial reductions to their expenditure. The reduced funding to the Australian Biological Resources Study reflects this requirement.

I have met with the members of the Australian Biological Resources Study Advisory Committee to discuss possible future directions for the program and the Committee has subsequently provided me with a report and recommendations. I will take account of those recommendations when considering future Budget allocations.

Yours sincerely

Robert Hill
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for the Environment
Parliament House
Canberra. ACT. 2600.