Labor says it is extremely concerned about "rumours" the Minister for Industry and Science has decided to delay announcements on the future of two Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) until he has considered the findings of the CRC Review.
"If true, this is a deeply irresponsible approach, putting the jobs of CRC employees at risk and leaving major industry partners in limbo," it said.
Funding for the Advanced Manufacturing CRC and the CRC for Optimising Resource Extraction (ORE) is schedule to expire at the end of June.
"Yet, despite weeks of prodding by Labor and members of the research community, these CRCs face a funding cliff as Ian Macfarlane continues to sit on his hands," said Shadow Minister Senator Kim Carr.
"The news that he is deliberately delaying the announcement – rather than simply being disorganised – raises serious concerns about the future of the entire CRC program under the Abbott Government," he said.