Dr Paul Hutchison
National Party Science & Technology Spokesman

28 September 2006

Maharey at odds with Clark

Science Minister Steve Maharey should follow Helen Clark's request and ensure that the Marsden Fund's processes are scrutinized following the controversial award of $465,000 for a sex study, says National's Science spokesman, Dr Paul Hutchison.

"Steve Maharey has failed to act on the 2005 Marsden Fund Review which says 'there appeared to be some confusion in the sector about what the Marsden Fund should properly be funding'."

The report recommended 'development of a better understanding of the role that Marsden and other Funds play with research and science policy'.

"Steve Maharey, a former sociologist who has presided over chaos at TVNZ, in the welfare portfolio and now the education system, refuses to acknowledge that under Labour the public investment in science, when expressed as a percentage of GDP, has hardly changed in six years, and that every science dollar should be spent well," says Dr Hutchison.

"National wants a far bolder approach to research & development, and we want the Marsden Fund strengthened.

"However, it is proper to scrutinize its processes and the quality of the research in order to get the best value for taxpayers' money.

"Steve Maharey, a politically correct relic, is failing in his duty to scrutinize the fund when the Prime Minister says it needs scrutinizing."

ENDS

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