Australian universities report ‘squibs a once-in-a-generation chance’ on research, science leader says

CEO of Science and Technology Australia says government report's failure to address research funding as priority is an epic fail'

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

A key government report on the university and higher education sector has disastrously missed an historic moment" to ramp up investment in research, and consigns Australia to be out-muscled" in the global race for new jobs and industries, the country's peak science and technology body says.

Misha Schubert, the chief executive of Science and Technology Australia, said the Australian Universities Accord interim report's failure to include research funding as one of its priorities was an epic fail".

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup