Synchrotron shines in audit

 The Australian Synchrotron in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton. Funding for the facility beyond June next year is uncertain. Picture: Mike Keating.  Source: HWT Image Library

THE Melbourne-based synchrotron, a facility that offers scientists a powerful light source for research, has achieved pretty much what it was supposed to, according to Victoria's auditor-general Des Pearson.

Reviewing public sector investment in biotechnology, Mr Pearson's report says the synchrotron has "achieved benefits in line with the original expectations of the government".

Victoria put $207.2 million into the Clayton facility and the federal government has contributed $115m, but funding beyond June next year is uncertain.

A project championed by former premier John Brumby, the synchrotron was given an unusual corporate structure and has no commonwealth representation on the board. The facility went through a crisis of governance in 2009-10.

Synchrotron director Keith Nugent said the auditor-general's "reasonably positive" report, tabled earlier this month, should help the facility make its case for more money.

"We have delivered on the expectations for us; that is important for ongoing funding," Professor Nugent said. He understood federal-state talks about the future of the synchrotron were "proceeding productively".

Before the facility opened in 2007, Australian researchers had to take their projects overseas.

The brilliant light of a synchrotron is captured by a series of beamlines, which are designed to allow myriad experiments in fields such as physics, medicine and biology.

Mr Pearson's report endorses the view that the synchrotron is a world-class facility and represents good value for money. However, it says the facility needs to better articulate and measure the benefits it delivers.

Its original objectives included being "a national icon of leading- edge science, of pivotal importance within the research structure of Australia".

It also was supposed to "boost economic development by increasing opportunities for innovation and commercialisation, and encouraging the clustering of research-based industries".

Professor Nugent said despite the uncertain outlook, the turnover in scientific staff at the synchrotron had been very low. "I think they believe in the future of the facility," he said. "Morale is high and the scientific activity is world-leading."