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ABC TAKES A LEAP BACKWARDS
30 November 2000

Professor John White, Secretary for Science Policy of the Australian Academy of Science, commented today on the ABC's decision to close down its TV science production capacity.

'It is ironic that as the Prime Minister today chaired a meeting of his Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the ABC has decided that it can do without an in-house TV science production group.

'The Prime Minister and his advisory Council, PMSEIC, are today considering high level advice that Australia needs to switch on to a future of science-based innovation. This advice comes from reports of Chief Scientist, Robin Batterham, and the of the Government's Innovation Summit Implementation Group, appointed after the National Innovation Summit in February this year.

'Both published reports contain a strong sense of urgency about the need to improve Australia's performance in research, commercialisation of research and innovation.

'Both reports base the reforms we need on an enhanced public awareness of the opportunities and risks presented to Australia by a world of rapid, global changes based on new technologies.

'The Chief Scientist has recommended that

'The Innovation Summit Implementation Group has made its first priority the need

and has called on government to help

'It is a strange time for our national public interest broadcaster to be cutting its in-house competence.

'I hope that behind the discussion to cut lies a secret plan to do better in television science programming in the near future.

'Australia can not afford to have its national broadcaster drop its bundle at such a critical period for Australia's future direction.'