In a time of biting cost-of-living challenges, economic adversity and environmental crisis, science and innovation can chart a stronger future for Australia.
Science & Technology Australia (STA) - Australia's peak body representing more than 225,000 scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians - welcomes today's release of the Government's discussion paper for its Strategic Examination of R&D by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP.
"This review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the culture, regulations, incentives and funding settings needed to strengthen Australia's R&D sector-across universities, research institutions, government and businesses," said STA President Professor Sharath Sriram.
"The timing of this release-during Science & Technology Australia's Science Meets Parliament event, the country's most significant coming together of STEM professionals and policymakers-symbolises the vital partnership needed for this review to succeed. Over the next two days, Science Meets Parliament will lay the foundations for the deep and robust discussions that will drive the Strategic Examination forward in 2025."
"Australia's world-leading research has delivered remarkable innovations such as WiFi, the Cochlear implant, seaweed-based cattle feed, polymer banknotes, spray-on skin, the black box, vaccines, and heart valves. But these success stories are sadly too often the exception rather than the norm. We need more Australian innovations to stay onshore - and build an Australia made from Australian ideas"
"Australia's R&D investment is now a full percentage point below the OECD average-and well behind global leaders. We must reverse this 15-year decline and shift Australia from a consumer of technology to a producer. We need to turbocharge our ambitions and get all parts of the R&D system working together."
The review is a crucial opportunity to build a knowledge-driven economy which capitalises on our research strengths, drives commercialisation, and embeds STEM at the heart of economic policy.
"As outlined in STA's recently published priorities for the federal election, we can and must develop the whole-of-government STEM and innovation strategy Australia needs-to take ideas from discovery to market, focus on priorities, strengthen STEM education, and build the STEM workforce required for the country's future prosperity," said STA CEO Ryan Winn.
"STEM must be front and centre to Australia, to drive economic success, individual and collective wellbeing and address the critical challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss."
"We welcome the Minister's call during his Science Meets Parliament National Press Club address for R&D to be considered a national asset. If we don't act now to jump-start our whole-of-economy R&D activity and investments, we risk jobs, economic growth, and our precious environment."
"The time to act is now, and we must do it together."
