Deputy Greens Leader and Science & Research spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, today said that Simon McKeon was right to implicitly criticise Tony Abbott’s deep funding cuts to research and to call for an alternative means of establishing a medical research fund in his speech to the National Press Club today.

“Tony Abbott needs to accept he will not get his GP co-payment through the Senate, so he should separate the medical research fund from his GP fee," said Mr Bandt.

"As Simon McKeon said, it would be tragic if funding for medical research wasn't boosted.

Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt says the Greens will fight cuts to science and research in the Budget. Mr Bandt also said the Greens would fight any attempt by Tony Abbott to blackmail the Parliament with false claims about a multi-billion medical research fund and that of the proposed $7 GP fee, only 17c would go to medical research.

"Half a billion dollars in cuts to CSIRO and other research programs will hurt the economy," Mr Bandt said today.

Greens Deputy Leader and Science spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that Tony Abbott is a threat to Australia’s prosperity. 

“If Tony Abbott’s Commission of Audit is a front for cuts to CSIRO’s budget of 15-20%, as CSIRO believes, Australia’s prosperity will suffer,” said Mr Bandt. 

“Australia depends on research and research depends on secure, long-term funding. 

Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP and Higher Education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon, today said the Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, needs to Keep It Clever. 

“Mr Pyne appears to be suffering a case of cognitive dissonance,” said Mr Bandt. 

“He is talking up our universities and says that he backs the Universities Australia ‘Keep It Clever’ campaign but at the same time the Abbott Government is lining up higher education and research for funding cuts.

Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the higher education sector was giving Tony Abbott a clear message in the run up to the Budget. 

“It is fantastic news that Universities Australia is today launching a campaign, called ‘Keep It Clever’, said Mr Bandt. 

“The message is that if you cut funding to higher education and research, you cut Australia’s wellbeing and future prospects. 

Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed the Senate’s support for research funding. 

“It’s great news that the Senate has today passed the Greens’ motion calling for the Government to respect research by lifting research funding and not cutting it in the forthcoming Budget. 

“In the lead-up to the Budget, the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet and put the Abbott Government on notice that any moves to cut research funding won’t have the Parliament’s support.

Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed the Senate’s support for research funding. 

“It’s great news that the Senate has today passed the Greens’ motion calling for the Government to respect research by lifting research funding and not cutting it in the forthcoming Budget. 

“In the lead-up to the Budget, the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet and put the Abbott Government on notice that any moves to cut research funding won’t have the Parliament’s support.

The Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, introduces a motion the the senate calling on the Abbott government to respect science and research in Australia. The motion reads as follows: