The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the policy commitments made by the Greens in their science policy released today, and calls on all parties to articulate a strategic approach to science policy.
“We particularly welcome the Greens’ aim to increase Australia’s investment in research and innovation to 3 per cent of GDP by 2020,” said Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory.
“The Academy has called for sustained investment in its election statement so that Australia can catch up with other OECD nations.
“We’re also pleased to note that this commitment is to be met through funding pledges to update critical national research infrastructure, continuing the successful Future Fellowship scheme, and through significant additional strategic investment in competitive National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Research Council grants, and strategic international engagement.”
The Greens’ commitment of an additional $750 million for research to address identified national priorities would help Australia undertake the research it needs to ready itself for the big challenges that lie ahead.
Professor Cory released the Academy’s election statement at the National Press Club in July, challenging all political parties to articulate their science vision for Australia.
“Investing in science is an investment in our future,” she said today.
“It is through science that we can find the solutions to the most pressing problems that we face. It is vital that we make that investment now, given the scale of the challenges that lie ahead.’”
The Academy’s Secretary for Science Policy, Professor Les Field said that he hoped the release of the Greens’ science policy statement would prompt a higher election campaign focus on education, science and health.
“The community expects the major parties to put forward their plan for science in Australia,” he said.
“The Academy looks forward to seeing similar leadership in the release of science policy statements from Labor and the Coalition in coming days.”
The Academy’s election statement is available from: http://www.science.org.au/files/userfiles/events/media/documents/election-policy-2013.pdf
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