4Â·

:  Ã¢ÂÂ   ÃÂ  "

i&k PRESS STATEMENT by the Minister for National Development

ÃÂ·

COMMONWEALTH GRANTS FOR ENERGY RESEARCH. DEVELOPMENT  " AND'DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS '

The Minister for National Development,  Mr Kevin

Newman,  said in Canberra today that he was very pleased

with the strong and widespread interest being shown in the

Government's new initiative to stimulate increased energy

research and development in Australia.

About $15 million will be available in 1978/79 to

encourage a major expansion of energy research and development

in Australia. National advertisements had invited applications

for assistance under this program and more than 130 requests

for ?nformation and application forms had already been received.

This keen reaction, combined with, the 6b submissions

that have already been received from organisations for support

for 182 separate projects in relation to research and development

on coal under the Coal Research Assistance Act, is a strong

indication that the Government's initiatives are well founded,

touching a responsive chord in the scientific and industrial

community. '

The total funds available of $15 million include -

.  about $6 million representing accruals and reserves

in the Coal Research Trust Account,  for expenditure

on coal research;

.  a cash provision of $4 million for expenditure on

research grants in all fields of energy;

.  a further $5 million for firm forward commitments

in future years to cater for longer term projects.

2

These funds are in addition to those available to

CSTRO, the.Australian Atomic Energy Commission and other

Commonwealth authorities which, in 1976/77 expended a total

of about $14.5 million on energy research and development.

The new funding arrangements represent a very

significant increase in Commonwealth support and provide

for a substantial broadening of opportunity to encourage

more research by a wide range of interested groups,

including State bodies and private enterprise.

All fields of energy research and development are

covered by the new program, including, as well as coal,

other fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind and other forms

of alternative energy. Proposals are also being received

ri tie most important area of synthetic liquid fuels.

Ã¢ÂÂ   Mr Newman said that anyone who is proposing to

seek Commonwealth support for energy RD&D projects should

do so as soon as possible to enable the necessary assessment

procedure::; to be completed. Funds would be granted as

quickly as possible to allow the projects that are accepted

to get underway.

The closing date for applications to be received

is 6 October. '

/3

Mr Newman concluded by emphasising that the

Government's actions to stimulate increased energy

research and development in Australia were an important

step in the evolution and formulation of a national

energy policy designed to meet the challenges of the future.

While Australia's energy outlook through to at least

the mid-1980s appeared soundly based,  there were uncertainties

after that time, particularly in relation to liquid fuels for

transportation.

It was essential that the time available now be used

for building the foundation of a stronger energy outlook

towards the end of this century.  Increased research Â°nd

development activities would be fundamental in developing

the technological capabilities required to meet the

community's future demands for energy in all forms,  with

special emphasis needing to be. placed on energy for

transportation.  .

Canberra

4 September 1978

