Yesterday it was an MP defection to Labor, today it’s caustic criticism from within the Coalition ranks:
In a speech delivered in Parliament on Tuesday night, West Australian MP Dennis Jensen described the government’s science policies as “foolish” and incoherent.
Dr Jensen, a former research scientist and defence analyst, criticised the government for cutting funding to the CSIRO and Australian Research Council while creating a medical research fund.
…”Is this funding to medical research going to be general, or specifically targeted at cancer, Alzheimer’s and the like? How are we going to source those researchers?
”They don’t grow on trees, and the training required is long and arduous, and very long lead times are required.
Dr Jensen also made some of the points I did myself today:
“The bigger problem in selling the budget has been the lead-up to the budget. We haven’t adequately laid out what the problem is and then brought the solution. Because there is a problem, there’s a huge problem,” Dr Jensen said.
Mr Abbott needs a good war and fast!
