The Wire

Scientists have taken to the streets today to protest proposed cuts to the medical research budget, which they say will be disastrous for the community. Cabinet leaks suggest that 400 million dollars will be slashed from the National Health and Medical Research Council, but this hasn’t been confirmed by the Federal government. Around five thousand people showed up to the rally in Melbourne and similar events were held in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide. These protests are part of the wider ‘Discoveries need dollars’ campaign, which uses social media tools like facebook and twitter to spread the message.