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AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WELCOMES KNOWLEDGE NATION DETAIL
31 October 2001

The Australian Academy of Science welcomed the detail that has been outlined today for a Knowledge Nation.

‘The Academy has always welcomed the initiatives in the Coalition’s Backing Australia’s Ability as a first step towards building a knowledge economy,’ said Professor Michael Barber, the Academy’s Secretary for Science Policy. ‘However, we have expressed concern that the funding was insufficient and the implementation timeline too long.’

Professor Barber went on to say ‘At Science Meets Parliament Day in August this year, Kim Beazley promised the nation’s scientists that Labor would not only support the initiatives in Backing Australia’s Ability but would trump them. Today’s announcement delivers on that promise by doubling the funding in Backing Australia’s Ability.’

‘The detail outlined for a Knowledge Nation supports several of the recommendations put forward by the Academy of Science in its recent document “Priorities in Research and Innovation for the Next Australian Government”,’ Professor Barber said. ‘The Academy encourages the Coalition to respond constructively to this recognition of the need to invest in education and research in the national interest.’

The Academy applauds the beginnings of a bipartisan approach to innovation. Such a bipartisan view is essential for the development of an innovative Australia, particularly for science where many of the issues, problems and programs have time scales that cover several parliamentary terms.