In response to Christopher Pyne’s threat to tie science infrastructure funding to the passage of his higher education reform bill, Brian Schmidt writes in The Conversation (5.3.15) writes:
‘It is … almost unthinkable that the [science] community now finds itself on the verge of calamity. The A$150 million of funds, promised in the 2014 Budget, have not been released by the Government due to the release being linked to the passage of the Higher Education Bill.
‘There is less than five months until insolvency for some facilities, and no sign that the higher education reforms will pass, despite their support from the higher education sector. Thus panic is beginning to creep into many of 27 research facilities, with key members of staff becoming increasing unsure of their future.’