The Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, today announced the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) would provide $5 million towards initial beamlines planned for the Australian Synchrotron.
Mr Brumby said the funding commitment was great news for the project, on top of the over $15 million committed by Melbourne University, Monash University, the CSIRO and Scoresby-based company MiniFAB.
“ANSTO is a very welcome foundation partner in the Australian Synchrotron, which is on track and on budget to open in 2007,” he said.
“It’s terrific that Australia’s leading science organisations are contributing towards one of the most significant investments in Australia’s scientific infrastructure for decades.”
ANSTO’s Executive Director, Dr Ian Smith, said ANSTO was delighted to contribute to the development of the Australian Synchrotron.
“The Australian Synchrotron Research Program (ASRP), run out of ANSTO, offers researchers opportunities to use overseas synchrotrons, but we need our own national facility,” Dr Smith said.
“The ASRP and ANSTO have grown the user base for Australia’s own synchrotron facility, and ANSTO is now a proud partner in building the Australian Synchrotron: landmark infrastructure that will keep this nation at the forefront of science.”
Mr Brumby said strong partners such as ANSTO would help make the Australian Synchrotron a truly nationa l centre for research excellence.
“Together ANSTO and the Australian Synchrotron will enhance the range of scientific techniques available to Australia’s top researchers in fields as diverse as cancer research and microfabrication,” Mr Brumby said.
He said positive discussions were also continuing with other Governments, including New Zealand, universities and research institutions.
“At the beginning of 2004 we needed to raise $49 million to ensure the initial suite of beamlines would be ready to bring on line in 2007. In just over six months that figure has been almost halved with further announcements to be made over the remainder of the year.
“With the support of organisations like ANSTO, Melbourne University, Monash University, the CSIRO and MiniFAB we are on track to have the funding in place well before the facility is commissioned.”
Published: 01/06/2004