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AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WELCOMES DEMOCRATS' SCIENCE COMMITMENT
7 November 2001

The Australian Academy of Science today responded positively to the Democrats commitment to ensuring that innovation and science remain at the forefront of the national agenda.

The Academy trusts that the Democrats will use their influence and negotiating expertise to ensure that the next Australian Government promotes science and innovation in the national interest.

Professor Michael Barber, Secretary, Science Policy, said 'I am pleased that the Democrats have recognised the importance of higher education and research for a country that aspires to have a significant part to play in the global knowledge economy'.

Professor Barber went on to say 'I particularly welcome the Democrats intent to immediately abolish differential HECS for science, maths, computing and engineering students, and the intent to forgive HECS debt for each year that science and maths graduates remain teachers'.

Professor Barber said the Democrats may well have an important part to play in keeping the major parties on track to achieving a global knowledge economy.