![Data is at the heart of today’s government services. This is reflected in the federal government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), which highlights its goal to use data, analytics, and technology to deliver simple, accessible services for people and businesses by 2030. As noted in the strategy, Australians expect personalised, integrated, and easy-to-use services from government entities they engage with. Such personalisation, especially across digital channels, is heavily dependent on data. Delivering such services becomes more effective when the data is more accurate and up-to-date. This is where real-time data comes into play. Why? Real-time data is more accurate because it is always up-to-date. This, in turn, improves the customer experience by enabling services to be more dynamic and interactive. However, because batch processing still accounts for the majority of data processing in government ranks, even the most recent data may become outdated when used to deliver government services. Engage with data in motion Batch processing is when the processing and analysis happen on a set of data that has already been stored for a period of time. This may be days, weeks, or even months, which just doesn't cut it for delivering dynamic and interactive citizen services. In recent years, data streaming has emerged as the technology that allows organizations to tap into their data in real-time in order to improve citizen engagement and experience. Event streaming, another name for data streaming, describes the continuous flow of data as it occurs. This enables true real-time processing and analysis for immediate insights. Streaming data distinguishes itself from batch processing by delivering the most up-to-date information when required. Apache Kafka, one of the most successful open source projects, is used by over 70% of Fortune 500 companies today and is well recognised as the de facto standard for data streaming. The open-source nature of Kafka lowered the entry barrier for working with streaming data, allowing companies to easily build use cases and solutions. However, as with all open-source software, there are limitations. Companies often end up spending more to efficiently manage, scale, secure, and evolve the streaming infrastructure. Why are we still using batch processing if data streaming is the future? Batch processing is still simpler to implement than stream processing, and successfully moving from batch to streaming requires a significant change to a team’s habits and processes, as well as a meaningful upfront investment. That is why Confluent has rearchitected Kafka to create a complete platform that provides a fully managed, cloud-native data streaming solution with the ability to turn data events into outcomes, enable real-time apps, and empower teams and systems to act on data instantly. Personalised for the people Confluent’s ability to utilise data as a continually updating stream of events rather than discrete snapshots means that public sector organisations can leverage data streaming to improve citizen engagement by offering personalised, data-driven services and insights. Confluent’s data streaming platform also enables real-time monitoring and analysis of government services and infrastructure, allowing public sector entities to quickly respond to critical events such as natural disasters or public health emergencies. At a more mundane level, Confluent supports data sharing and collaboration among government agencies, facilitating the seamless exchange of information to serve the public better and optimise resource allocation. And, importantly for government organisations, Confluent’s data streaming capabilities can enhance cyber security by detecting and mitigating threats in real time and safeguarding sensitive government data—a critical element in maintaining our national security. Indeed, 53% of Australian businesses surveyed in a recent Confluent study cited security and compliance awareness as the most applicable use cases for data streaming. It should come as little surprise, then, that industry analyst firm Forrester views Confluent as “an excellent fit for organisations that need to support a high-performance, scalable, multi-cloud data pipeline with extreme resilience.” Streamlining service improvement Data streaming is driving greater efficiency in more than three of four companies across Asia Pacific, according to Confluent research. Meanwhile, 65% of IT leaders polled see significant or emerging product and service benefits from data streaming. With this in mind, the potential for the government to do more with its data is clear, and personalisation is top of mind. Personalising citizen service experiences requires knowing who a customer is at any given moment. This is made possible by accessing data in motion, especially across multiple touchpoints. At the very least, this can help citizens avoid having to provide the same information over and over again as they interact with government agencies. And now, with Confluent assessed under the Australian Information Security Registered Assessors Programme (IRAP), government agencies with an Information Security Manual PROTECTED level requirement can use Confluent Cloud across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Australian government agencies will then be able to gather and share data across departments, offices, and agencies securely and at scale. This means even more government agencies will be able to tap data in motion to integrate information across their applications and systems in real time and reinvent employee and citizen experiences for the better.](https://publicspectrum.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Confluent-Advertorial.png)
Australia’s federal funding for research and development (R&D) has reached its lowest point in 30 years, signalling a notable change in the country’s approach to investing in innovation. According to the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources, the government’s direct expenditure on R&D for the fiscal year 2022–23 amounted to only 0.49% of GDP. This number is significantly different from the levels observed in the 1980s and 1990s, when it consistently remained at approximately 0.7%.
This decline in funding is not just a random occurrence, but a significant setback for Australia’s economic growth and technological advancement. The decline emphasises a lost chance to strengthen the country’s position in the global innovation scene. The implications of this funding deficit are wide-ranging, potentially exposing Australia to economic vulnerabilities and dependence on other countries for critical commodities like vaccines. This situation highlights the pressing requirement for a thorough evaluation of Australia’s R&D funding policies.
The 2024 Australian federal budget showcases a notable change in the government’s focus on investment. In spite of a projected budget surplus, the government has not allocated significant increases for funding research and development (R&D). On the contrary, the budget places a strong focus on tax cuts and measures to improve the cost of living while allocating only limited resources to research initiatives. The government’s budget positions the revised Stage 3 tax cuts as its focal point. These tax cuts, announced in January, legislated in February, and set to come into effect in July, will benefit all Australian taxpayers earning more than $18,200 by reducing their taxes.
This represents a notable shift from the initial stage 3 tax cuts, which primarily favoured individuals with higher incomes. Alongside tax cuts, the budget suggests the implementation of additional measures to alleviate the cost of living. The treasurer has described the tax cuts as a crucial component of broader assistance, hinting at the possibility of additional measures in the future. It seems that these measures encompass energy bill relief, adjustments to rent assistance, and the possibility of increasing JobSeeker and the elderly pension.
The 2024 Australian federal budget illustrates a concerning lack of funding for research and development (R&D), raising questions regarding potential shortages of key components like vaccines. The lack of sufficient investment in research and development is a cause for concern, especially when comparing it to countries such as South Korea and Germany. These countries allocate a significant portion of their GDP, approximately 3%, towards research and development.
The unequal distribution of R&D investment not only leaves Australia vulnerable to economic shocks but also heightens its dependence on other nations for vital goods. Insufficient funding for domestic R&D may hinder Australia’s potential to innovate and compete globally. Furthermore, the budget’s focus on tax cuts and cost-of-living measures, while beneficial in the short term, might not adequately address the long-term economic challenges Australia faces. Failure to prioritise research and development could leave Australia trailing in the competitive global arena of innovation and technological progress.
The 2024 Australian federal budget maintains funding for several key research and development (R&D) programmes, although the levels of funding have been reduced. A new initiative, announced by Minister Ed Husic, aims to enhance global scientific collaboration. Nevertheless, the level of financial support it receives has decreased in comparison to previous years.
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) programme, an essential platform for fostering collaborations between industry and academia, has also experienced reductions in its budget. Despite these reductions, the CRC programme remains a vital force in promoting innovation and research in Australia. Two additional important initiatives that are still in operation are the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the Trailblazer Universities Programme.
Although these programmes concentrate on the health and university research sectors, their funding has experienced a reduction in comparison to previous allocations. Despite continued funding for these programs, the reduction in financial support could potentially impact Australia’s research and development sector. Monitoring these changes and comprehending their potential implications for the country’s research and innovation sectors is of utmost importance.
Industry leaders and academic institutions have expressed concerns over the reduced funding for research and development (R&D) in the 2024 Australian federal budget. Universities Australia, a representative body, has pointed out the potential long-term impacts on innovation and competitiveness. Indicating the significance of a sustainable funding model, they underline its role in supporting groundbreaking research.
Group of Eight universities President Michael Spence asserts that the decrease in R&D investment may hinder Australia’s ability to attract and retain top research talent. This could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the country’s reputation in global scientific research. Industry and academia have stressed the possible risks that come with a decrease in R&D funding. These concerns underscore the importance of long-term investment in research and innovation for Australia’s future competitiveness and global reputation in scientific research.
As a percentage of GDP, Australia’s current spending on research and development (R&D) is lagging behind that of other developed nations. Consider South Korea and Israel, where they dedicate a significant portion of their GDP to research and development. By comparison, the average for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is around 2.4%.
The discrepancy mentioned raises concerns about Australia’s ability to stay competitive in innovation and technological advancements. The decreased investment in research and development could potentially hinder the country’s ability to promote innovation and advance new technologies, both of which are vital for economic growth and maintaining competitiveness. The level of R&D investment in Australia, which is less than 2% of GDP, is a cause for concern among industry leaders and academic institutions.
Some experts contend that a lack of adequate funding poses a challenge to the country’s efforts to develop new technologies and maintain global competitiveness. Universities Australia has stressed the significance of establishing a sustainable funding model in order to support research with significant impact. They warned that without such a model, Australia runs the risk of lagging behind in the global race for innovation.
To address the decrease in R&D funding, the Australian government has allocated significant funds to science and research through universities for 2023–24. Additionally, they have provided substantial support to industry R&D with a separate allocation of funds. In spite of limited funds, the government has implemented targeted measures to revitalise select industries. Examples of targeted efforts include the funding initiative by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for renewable energy projects and the National Housing Accord Facility for sustainable housing research.
These initiatives attempt to tackle important issues through research and development, but they fail to make up for the overall decrease in federal funding for research and development. Experts are calling for a thorough examination of Australia’s policies to revive its dedication to research and development, ensuring it is in line with international standards and future economic requirements. There is a clear indication that an insightful and calculated approach to R&D investment is necessary. This approach should not only focus on current issues but also aim to position Australia for long-term economic growth.
The declining federal R&D funding presents a significant challenge to Australia’s future economic growth and technological advancement. It is key for the government to take immediate action and reverse this negative trend in order to uphold Australia’s global competitiveness. Overall, the decrease in funding has wide-ranging consequences. It not only hinders current research initiatives but also stifles innovation, potentially causing Australia to fall behind on the global stage. This requires comprehensive analysis and strategic planning to effectively address the issue.
If the current pattern persists in the future, Australia may face the possibility of lagging even further in the global R&D scene. However, by implementing specific interventions and allocating more funds, Australia has the potential to reverse this situation. Through investment in research and development, the government has the power to foster innovation, fuel economic growth, and secure Australia’s long-term prosperity.
Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.