zion
September 26th, 2004, 07:06 PM
Another miscalculation from the Brack's Government.
The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/26/1096137096699.html
Taxpayers may foot bill for $206m synchrotron
By Richard Baker
September 27, 2004
The Victorian Government was advised in 2001 that it would struggle to get industry to support the $206 million synchrotron project, documents reveal.
Ministerial briefings, released under orders from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, state that industry needed to be "handled carefully and with the understanding that early commitments are unlikely".
"An important first step will be to secure the support of industry champions and leaders of user groups who are able to talk convincingly to potential users," the briefing said.
The Government is having trouble attracting private interest in the scientific project and requires a further $25 million to meet the $206 million cost. So far universities, research bodies and the New Zealand Government have contributed.
A synchrotron accelerates electrons to generate beams of light. It will be used to develop new drugs and materials and is due to be completed by 2007.
The briefings, released to Deputy Opposition Leader Phil Honeywood, show its operating costs are expected to be $18 million over four years.
Premier Steve Bracks has guaranteed that Victorian taxpayers will not foot the bill. But the briefings show that the Government will be relying on grants from the Commonwealth, as well as private interest, to cover costs.
The Government's estimate of $4.5 million a year in operating costs over the synchrotron's first four years is well below the state Auditor-General's predicted costs of about $15 million a year.
The briefings also reveal that two years ago the project was facing a $100 million shortfall. Shortly after this became apparent, the Government announced in January last year that it would contribute an extra $57 million, bringing the total taxpayer contribution to $157 million.
Mr Honeywood said it was fanciful for the Government to believe it would not have to contribute to the operating costs of the synchrotron when most of the same facilities in other nations received substantial taxpayer backing.
"Every other synchrotron built relies on . . . funding from government sources. In the UK and France, 90 per cent of the running costs come from the government," he said.
The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/26/1096137096699.html
Taxpayers may foot bill for $206m synchrotron
By Richard Baker
September 27, 2004
The Victorian Government was advised in 2001 that it would struggle to get industry to support the $206 million synchrotron project, documents reveal.
Ministerial briefings, released under orders from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, state that industry needed to be "handled carefully and with the understanding that early commitments are unlikely".
"An important first step will be to secure the support of industry champions and leaders of user groups who are able to talk convincingly to potential users," the briefing said.
The Government is having trouble attracting private interest in the scientific project and requires a further $25 million to meet the $206 million cost. So far universities, research bodies and the New Zealand Government have contributed.
A synchrotron accelerates electrons to generate beams of light. It will be used to develop new drugs and materials and is due to be completed by 2007.
The briefings, released to Deputy Opposition Leader Phil Honeywood, show its operating costs are expected to be $18 million over four years.
Premier Steve Bracks has guaranteed that Victorian taxpayers will not foot the bill. But the briefings show that the Government will be relying on grants from the Commonwealth, as well as private interest, to cover costs.
The Government's estimate of $4.5 million a year in operating costs over the synchrotron's first four years is well below the state Auditor-General's predicted costs of about $15 million a year.
The briefings also reveal that two years ago the project was facing a $100 million shortfall. Shortly after this became apparent, the Government announced in January last year that it would contribute an extra $57 million, bringing the total taxpayer contribution to $157 million.
Mr Honeywood said it was fanciful for the Government to believe it would not have to contribute to the operating costs of the synchrotron when most of the same facilities in other nations received substantial taxpayer backing.
"Every other synchrotron built relies on . . . funding from government sources. In the UK and France, 90 per cent of the running costs come from the government," he said.