David Pocock applauds $387.4m in extra funding for CSIRO after tens of thousands sign petition | Australian budget 2026
The Albanian government will increase funding to the CSIRO by $387.4 million to cover the long-term costs of the national science agency.
It followed months of advocacy by scientists and staff, following hundreds of layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
The funding, which will be provided over four years, will support facilities, technology upgrades and research and is on top of the agency’s current $1 billion annual funding.
The announcement is not expected to reverse recent decisions to cut hundreds of jobs, but it is hoped it could mean further redundancies will be avoided.
CSIRO’s annual funding as a percentage of GDP was falling; A parliamentary library analysis commissioned by ACT senator David Pocock found this was the lowest since 1978.
Pocock said the additional $387.4 million was welcome and “reflects the great and effective advocacy of scientists, staff and the community.”
“Tens of thousands of people have signed my petition to save CSIRO, and along with other senators I have pressed for a Senate inquiry into the agency’s funding because Australia cannot afford to continue to eviscerate public science.”
He said despite years of reduced investment, more financing is still needed. He said investment in research and development was at a record low and more investment could be financed if the government introduced a 25% tax on gas exports.
“I will continue to press the government to support the science and scientists we need to tackle the big challenges ahead,” he said.
Finance minister Katy Gallagher said the money would give the agency “stability” to deliver science and research that “matters to Australians every day”.
The government said the investment was aimed at ensuring CSIRO could cover its long-term costs “of operating critical science and research infrastructure while maintaining greater workforce stability”.
“Publicly funded science is absolutely critical to the national interest and to solving some of Australia’s biggest challenges,” science minister Tim Ayres said.
“I am incredibly focused on supporting the CSIRO to strengthen the role it plays in making life better for all Australians.”
The government has also announced an additional $38 million in annual funding for the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness from 2030-31.
