The Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced that the Australian Government has agreed to support the transfer of ownership of the Australian Synchrotron to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
The announcement comes after the Government last year committed funding for the Synchrotron under the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA).
Mr Pyne highlighted that ANSTO was best placed to own the Synchrotron given its long-standing record of operating large-scale landmark research infrastructure.
“The Government committed $520 million to the Synchrotron as part of the NISA, to operate the Australian Synchrotron for the next decade, should the facility transfer to ANSTO,” Mr Pyne said.
“This will ensure continual access to the unique properties of the Synchrotron’s light beams, as researchers will be able to reveal in exquisite detail the innermost structures of a range of materials. This has applications for many industries, including mining, manufacturing, food security, the environment, energy, bio-security and health.”
The transfer of ownership is expected to happen in July 2016, subject to successful negotiations with shareholders, including the Victorian Government.
During a visit to the Synchrotron today, Mr Pyne met with researchers who used the facility to help develop a world-first drug to treat people with an advanced form of leukaemia.
The research team used the Synchrotron to obtain highly detailed 3D images of protein structures, enabling the development of Venetoclax, to treat people with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, for whom other treatments have failed.
Recent clinical trials of the drug have resulted in incredible rates of remission.
“While they may not know it, the Synchrotron affects many Australians every day. It has allowed medical researchers to make critical breakthroughs in health care, supporting the development of life-saving treatments,” Mr Pyne said.
“Given the importance of the Synchrotron, it is not surprising that many champions and supporters of science, research and innovation have worked behind the scenes to position the Government to make this decision.”