The Academy has spoken out strongly this month on critical issues.
Firstly, our position statement on the Voice to Parliament makes it clear that we support the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution, and will work with our Fellows and the science community to promote and facilitate evidence-informed conversation on the Voice and Traditional Knowledges.
I encourage you to watch Academy Fellow Professor Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA present a compelling case for the Voice. More generally, we have an annual award that supports and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists, and our Public Speaker Series this year is exploring how the intersection of Traditional Knowledges is informing our understanding of topics including climate change, agriculture and astronomy. The next event, on 8 August, features Ms Shandell Cummings, a Merningar yorga (Menang woman) from the south coast of Western Australia near Albany, and Dr Fiona Walsh, and I encourage you to join us in Canberra or online, and to watch the recordings of previous presentations in the series if you haven’t yet seen them.
We are also keenly aware there is much more we can do. To guide our progress, we are working on our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan which will challenge and inspire us to be part of real change in Australia and build on our commitments in the Academy’s Reflect stage RAP.
The second issue relates to the submission we made to the Climate Change Authority consultation on setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emission reduction targets. In a month that is set to be the hottest month globally on record, in our submission we clearly state that climate change is one of the greatest threats to Australia's social, economic and ecological well-being. We present five major actions that should be taken to reduce the nation’s emissions: emission reduction; measuring Scope 3 emissions; commitment to greenhouse gas removal; adaptation and resilience building; and international collaboration and investment. By taking these actions, Australia can contribute to a comprehensive and better global response to climate change, managing our own future and that of the planet.
And thirdly, the Academy welcomes the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report, which charts a future to a universal tertiary education system and challenges the status quo particularly in relation to funding and STEM undergraduate courses. However, with government investment in research and development at a record low, Australia needs decisive policy reform including a clear vision for the role that universities play in the broader research ecosystem. We continue to call for an independent review of the entire science and research system with the aim of supporting and advancing science in Australia and all the benefits that brings.
I hope you enjoy reading this month’s newsletter.
Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FREng FTSE
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