Building Australia’s Future powered by science and innovation

The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, has welcomed the new Albanese Ministry and outlined seven immediate priorities for the federal government.

“The Albanese government has shown their commitment to reforming the R&D system by commissioning the Strategic Examination of R&D,” said Professor Jagadish.

“Redesigning our R&D system is critical to boosting productivity, diversifying the economy, creating jobs and building Australia’s future.”

Together, we have a chance to create a better Australia – and a better world – powered by science. Ultimately, investing in science is investing in our future.

– Anthony Albanese, October 2024

Top priorities for the new Albanese government

1. Embrace the Strategic Examination of R&D – the most comprehensive review of the R&D system in decades – to recognise and position R&D as a key driver of productivity, economic diversity and international competitiveness.
2. Co-invest in the Academy’s philanthropically supported Global Talent Attraction Program to urgently fill R&D capability gaps in Australia.
3. Urgently modernise Australia’s high-performance computing and data infrastructure – our supercomputers – which are reaching their end of life and cannot meet the growing demands of science, defence, industry and society.
4. Respond to the policy shifts in the United States, including emerging vulnerabilities to Australian national R&D capabilities such as vaccine development, climate modelling, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. 
5. Urgently develop a strategy to guide Australia’s approach to international scientific collaboration, so we can compete in the global scientific and technological race, build economic resilience and national security, and position science and technology as a critical lever in diplomacy.
6. Develop an AI investment plan to build national AI capability across the R&D system, including in fundamental AI science.
7. Reform the National Science and Technology Council to enable Cabinet decision making to be informed by the best available evidence.

“The Academy warmly welcomes the appointment of Senator the Hon Tim Ayres as the new Minister for Science and Minister for Industry and Innovation and the Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP as the new Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy,” said Professor Jagadish.

“R&D covers virtually every portfolio. The Academy especially acknowledges the new appointments of the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh (Productivity) and Senator the Hon Murray Watt (Environment and Water), and the reappointments of the Deputy PM the Hon Richard Marles (Defence), the Hon Jim Chalmers (Treasury), Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher (Finance), Senator the Hon Penny Wong (Foreign Affairs), the Hon Mark Butler (Health and Ageing), the Hon Jason Clare (Education), the Hon Julie Collins (Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), the Hon Chris Bowen (Climate Change and Energy) and the Hon Pat Conroy (Pacific Island Affairs).

“The Academy looks forward to working with the new government and the 48th Parliament to provide independent, evidence-based science advice to shape policies that benefit all Australians,” Professor Jagadish said.