The Morrison Government is investing in partnerships between universities and industry that will produce world-leading research and commercial outcomes that create jobs and economic growth.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced four new Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hubs that will share $18.1 million in funding.
“Our Government is investing in research that will have applications in the real world, leading to job creation, improvements to medical treatment and environmental benefits,” Mr Tehan said.
“These Research Hubs will tackle important challenges facing Australians, such as antibiotic resistance, and develop new opportunities for business, through better farming practices or more productive use of waste.
“Our Government is investing in these Research Hubs to push the boundaries of our knowledge and to develop solutions that benefit Australians and improve the capacity of our university and industrial sectors.”
The four ARC Research Hubs announced today are:
- ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Onshore Lobster Aquaculture: This project will develop techniques to support a sustainable lobster aquaculture industry. This Hub is led by Associate Professor Gregory Smith at the University of Tasmania.
- ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance: Bacteria, viruses, and some parasites that are resistant to antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials pose a serious threat to human health. This Hub will establish a world-first partnership between industry, researcher and end users to develop new technology to fight Antimicrobial Resistance and ensure investments in this area are most efficiently spent. This Hub will be led by Professor Rebecca Guy at the University of New South Wales.
- ARC Research Hub for Microrecycling of Battery and Consumer Wastes: This project will develop processes to transform waste into valuable materials and products, including metallic alloys, oxides and carbon, instead of becoming landfill. Turning waste into valuable materials will create jobs and has significant environmental and social benefits. This Hub will be led by Professor Veena Sahajwalla at the University of New South Wales.
- ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection: The Hub aims to develop and commercialise an innovative biological fungicide that can be used by Australian farmers as an alternative to existing chemical products. This will address fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects and environmental harm of the current system. The Hub will increase productivity, market access and enhanced environmental credentials for Australia’s agricultural producers. This Hub will be led by Professor Neena Mitter at the University of Queensland.
