The nation's scientists and technologists will seek election commitments from candidates and parties to make science and technology the bedrock of future prosperity through a call for a comprehensive economy-wide investment to build an Australia made from Australian ideas.
At Science & Technology Australia's annual Leadership Dialogue this week, its member organisations, collectively representing more than 225,000 scientists and technologists, shared their deep concerns for Australia's future.
Amid technological change, geopolitics and economic pressures, Australia and its STEM sector has an uncertain path ahead. Our STEM workforce and funding system are under extreme pressure to deliver the ideas, skills and talent needed to meet the challenges of the coming decade.
To resolve this, the sector is developing a suite of election asks that will lead to increased government investment and policy reform, a boost to the value and capacity of research activity, and increased industry confidence in R&D expenditure that will build sovereign capability and turbocharge the economy. Candidates will be invited to respond to these as part of their pitch to the electorate at the next Federal election.
"Australia's science and technology leaders and the huge sector they represent are focused on the economy-transforming contribution that research and development can - and must - make to the country's future, and how that economic boost can create an Australian future powered by Australian ideas. But they need help to realise this contribution - the current system is under strain, and the sector is feeling the weight of uncertainty," said STA CEO Ryan Winn.
"The call they'll be making at the next election will be for politicians to commit to a pathway to the future the country wants and needs - one driven by discovery and innovation, with a revamped manufacturing base to commercialise those ideas, and the Aussie smarts to take and sell those innovations to the world."
"STEM skills and ideas will create future jobs and prosperity, but we must give businesses, education, and the wider sector the tools to do this. On behalf of our member organisations and the STEM professionals they represent, we'll be looking for politicians at the upcoming Federal election to commit to a future powered by innovation."
