Labor accused of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ for axing $760m research program to fund other science measures

Researchers say budget decision to cut commercialisation program to fund the CSIRO and other science initiatives undermines the government’s own prioritiesExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverageGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has been accused of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” over the budget axing of a $760m research commercialisation program in order to fund other science initiatives.The budget includes a $387.4m boost to “support the financial sustainability” of the beleaguered national science agency CSIRO, as well as $273m for the National Measurement Institute. Continue reading...