Labor accused of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ for axing $760m research program to fund other science measures

Researchers say budget decision to cut commercialisation program to fund the CSIRO and other science initiatives undermines the government’s own priorities Explore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverage Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The federal government has been accused of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” over the budget axing of a $760m research commercialisation program in order to fund other science initiatives. The budget includes a $387.4m boost to “su