Australia's scientists and technologists are calling for candidates and parties at the next Federal Election to commit to an economy powered by Australian ingenuity through a new Innovation Future Fund, a multi-billion dollar Strategic Moonshot Program, and a robust strategy to increase Australia's research and development investment to 3% of GDP.
Science & Technology Australia has developed a comprehensive suite of policy measures that will secure the nation's economy into the future. In the lead up to next year's Federal Election, we will invite all candidates and parties to commit to this ambitious and essential vision for building a prosperous Australia.
The 2025 Election Priorities is the result of exhaustive consultation with STA's member organisations, which together represent more than 235,000 scientists and technologists.
It suggests five key areas of focus - STEM R&D, elevating Indigenous Knowledge, STEM education, research capability and capacity, and the creation of products and services – with more than 40 specific policies all collectively geared towards powerfully leveraging STEM research and development, workers, education and knowledge to create an Australia built from Australian ideas.
Among the innovative, affordable and achievable policy suggestions is a call for the creation of a new sovereign wealth fund to build the next generation of R&D-led industries, and a 10-year Strategic Moonshot Program to invest deeply in areas critical to national prosperity. It also calls for setting a target and putting in place a strategy through the Strategic Review of R&D to boost Australia's economy-wide investment to 3% of GDP by 2035.
"A prosperous Australia is one made from Australian ideas - and the country's scientists and technologists have developed a plan to guide the nation's new policymakers to get there," said STA CEO Ryan Winn.
"With an economy languishing, a cost-of-living crisis, and a pathway to prosperity uncertain, the 2025 Federal Election is where we need our elected representatives to make the crucial decisions to create the future Australia wants and needs - a technologically-advanced, healthy, and resilient nation, and one driven by innovation and smart thinking in which all Australians can flourish."
"But seizing that future means taking bold action now. It means deploying the country's best minds to generate ideas, innovations and new industries. And it means a strong focus on equity - elevating Indigenous Knowledges and building true partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and communities to solve our nations challenges."
"Australia's scientists, technologists and engineers are passionate about using their expertise and capabilities to create the future economy the country wants and needs. We call on all parties and candidates standing in the Federal Election to do the same by committing to the measures in our 2025 Election Priorities."
STA's 2025 Election Priorities are attached and can be found online here.
