The Australian Academy of Science today welcomed the bipartisan support on show for science as politicians met with researchers at Science meets Parliament.
Opposition leader and shadow minister for science Bill Shorten said: “we need to make science and innovation a matter of national political importance”.
Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane will also address the ongoing importance of science and scientific research to build a more productive Australia at the Science meets Parliament dinner tonight. This follows on from the Coalition’s commitment during last year’s election campaign that “there will be no reduction in research funding”.
The Academy also welcomes the relaunching of the Parliamentary Friends of Science group during the event.
Science meets Parliament brings around 200 researchers face-to-face with federal politicians.
The Academy’s Secretary for Science Policy, Professor Les Field, said the Academy was heartened to hear bipartisan support for a strong Australian research and development program, in the lead up to the Federal Budget in May.
In its pre-Budget submission to Treasury, the Academy has called for the government to commit to a longer term science strategy and an increase in funding for Australian scientific research.
“Australia’s future prosperity and well-being depends on having a population with the skills and the ability to contribute to a modern technological society and with a research sector that competes and collaborates internationally in many areas of scientific research and tertiary education,” Professor Field said.
“We should be directing strategic long-term support to creating an international science strategy, improving research infrastructure, and growing support for mid-career researchers”.
The Academy’s full pre-Budget submission released today can be found here: http://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/research/reports-and-publications
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