Risky business
OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.
The Fund says it "Supports excellence in science, engineering, maths, social sciences and the humanities... by providing grants for research".
The Marden money is all from the government (i.e. taxpayers).
Last year, that funding amounted to $83.5 million - almost exactly what's needed to fund the 13 cancer drugs that we couldn't, but apparently now can, afford.
The Taxpayer's Union says the rot set in at the Fund following a 2012 amendment to the funding criteria, to include "humanities", diverting funds to pet projects of "tofu-munching, climate-striking, purple-haired academics" that don't bring any return to taxpayers.
