PRESIDENT'S NOTES
22 March 1999
Dear Fellow
My note in February received a very positive response from Fellows; if you were one of the respondents, thank you. Here is a report on the Academy’s latest activities. You are most welcome to respond to me or any other officer on the matters raised in this note.
With best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson
ON HUMAN CLONING
On Tuesday 16 March the Secretary (Science Policy), John White, launched the Academy’s statement on human cloning. You should have received a copy by mail last week. The statement was reported on the front pages of many newspapers and in national television news bulletins. The full statement is available on the Academy’s web site at www.science.org.au/policy/ statemen/cloning.htm or from Rachel Douglas (02) 6247 3966.
PhD PRODUCTION
John White has prepared a paper on Australia’s production of PhDs. This project resulted from a proposal put to the Council by Garth Paltridge. Among other things the Academy will be proposing that the Australian Research Council support a larger project on the subject.
AUSTRALIA PRIZE
On 18 February it was my pleasure to congratulate, on behalf of all of us, Martin Green and Stuart Wenham for their Australia Prize. We held a reception in the Jaeger Room.
RESEARCH REACTOR
John White is also preparing a submission to the Senate Committee which is inquiring into the proposed research reactor for Lucas Heights near Sydney.
STRATEGIC REVIEW OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
The Secretary (Biological Sciences), John Young, and John White have received comments on the strategic review of health and medical research from Council members and are finalising the Academy’s response.
NATIONAL INNOVATION SUMMIT
As you probably know, I believe policies to encourage innovation are of critical importance to the future of this country. I have been attending the Steering Committee for the National Innovation Summit, an initiative of the Business Council of Australia and the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources. The Academy will be contributing to working parties. The summit will be held later in the year.
REVIEW OF BUSINESS TAXATION
The Academy will prepare a response, by 16 April, to John Ralph’s widely reported review of business taxation. Our interest is to support change that will strengthen innovation in Australia.
NATIONAL ACADEMIES FORUM
At its last meeting (on 3 March) the Executive Committee considered the role and structure of the National Academies Forum. This is a joint endeavour of the learned academies of Science, Technological Sciences and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, to promote matters of mutual interest. The future role and modus operandi of the forum will be discussed at its next meeting on 26 March.
MEETING WITH SENATOR MINCHIN
On 11 March I met with the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources. While there are occasions on which I meet Ministers informally, these more formal meetings allow me to present a broader range of Academy concerns, and to hear at greater length about policy issues under consideration by the Minister and his Department. My agenda included a briefing on the Academy, policy for innovation, issues in research funding and our work on the issues of cloning and genetic engineering and food.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR CHEMISTRY
The Academy’s National Committee for Chemistry is making a vigorous contribution to the discipline of chemistry. Current projects include preparations for the general assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in Brisbane in July 2001, a proposed study into policy for chemistry education, a proposed meeting of the National Science and Industry Forum on drug testing in sport, and efforts to involve younger chemists in their professional institute. The National Committee is based on close collaboration between the Academy and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
EUROPEAN RESEARCH
As I mentioned in my last note, the Academy, in association with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, presented a public seminar on Australian involvement in the European Union’s Fifth Framework Programme on 3 March. The seminar looked at the evolution of science policy, collaboration between Australian and European scientists, and opportunities for Australian scientists in Europe.
ACCESS TO MAJOR RESEARCH FACILITIES
John White has been discussing with the Federal Government the eligibility of researchers who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents for funding to support the use of major research facilities overseas. I will be writing to the government setting out the case for restrictions which do not inhibit the participation of overseas scientists in Australian research teams.
SCIENCE POLICY SUPPORT
As you can see from this note, the Academy is very active in many areas of national policy: science, industry, education and training. The Executive Committee is considering whether to recommend to the Council that we further expand this activity, in part to provide a larger base for attracting external funding for particular projects.
DIARY
In the next few weeks I will be representing the Academy at the following events:
- Meeting of Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, non-ministerial members, 25 March
- National Academies Forum, 26 March
- Opening of the National Science and Industry Forum, Sydney, 31 March
- A meeting with the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
The next National Science and Industry Forum will look at the topic of gene technology in food. It will be held at Darling Harbour in Sydney on 31 March. Information is available from Faye Nicholas at the Academy, email ac@science.org.au or telephone (02) 6247 5777.
Fresh Science is part of ScienceNOW!, a promotional event to be held in Melbourne from 6 to 9 May. If you know any scientists who would like to present their research to large numbers of students and members of the public, they should visit www.asnevents.net.au/sciencenow. Nominations close on 25 March.
OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ACADEMY
President, Professor Brian Anderson
phone (02) 6279 8667, fax (02) 6279 8688,
email brian.anderson@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6249 5161, kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), Professor John Young
phone (02) 9351 4600, johny@physiol.usyd.edu.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Professor John White
phone (02) 6249 3578, jww@rsc.anu.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Professor Michael Pitman
phone (02) 6247 7636, pitman@science.canberra.edu.au
Treasurer, Professor Athel Beckwith
phone (02) 6249 3234, beckwith@rsc.anu.edu.au
