Execution over innovation

Big and bold ideas are fine, but being the best beats being first.

- PETER GRIFFIN

Our science sector, long considered an essential generator of new ideas that can be turned into innovative, exportable products, is in turmoil. As outlined in the Listener's Science column (February 22), Callaghan Innovation, the government agency tasked with boosting research and development and growing start-ups, is being shut down. Already, 63 redundancies have been announced from a total staff of more than 350. The seven crown research institutes (CRIs) are to be merged into three "public research organisations", and a fourth created to focus on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and synthetic biology.

Budget cuts at the CRIs and universities have led to our best boffins seeking greener pastures overseas.

The government's once-in-a-generation shake-up of the sector is an attempt to fix a broken system that isn't delivering enough of a return on the $1.2 billion we spend on research every year. Other small countries like Singapore and Denmark outspend us on R&D and are better at translating cutting-edge science and engineering into high-growth businesses.