Labour

 The Government today ruled out restoring the post-doctoral scholarships that it cut in 2010, David Shearer Labour’s Science, Research and Technology spokesperson says.

 Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp waffled in Parliament today in response to questions about whether he argued for more science and research funding in this year’s budget, says Labour’s Research, Science and Technology spokesperson David Shearer.

Palmerston North does a lot of things very well. Two that we are particularly renowned for are research and distribution. 

 The ink is barely dry on the last review of the Government’s science sector, but Research Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp is already reviewing Crown Research Institutes in a move to influence another merger.

The decision by Crown Research Institute NIWA to cut 35 jobs, most of them front line scientists, demonstrates the National Government’s fixation of stripping the public service to the bone, Labour Research, Science and Technology Spokesperson David Shearer said.

“Dr Wayne Mapp’s appointment as the Minister of Science and Innovation shows that the Government lacks a clear strategy for making innovation a driver of economic growth,” Labour’s Research, Science and Technology spokesperson David Shearer said today.

 The fact that our biggest technology manufacturer Fisher & Paykel Appliances did not qualify for a Technology Development Grant shows just what a short-sighted scheme this voucher and grant system is, says Labour Spokesperson on Research, Science and Technology David Shearer.

Speech to the Association of Scientists

 Science and Innovation, the next 20 years

 David Shearer

 21 October 2010