Science & Technology Australia (STA) extends its congratulations to the coalition on its re-election yesterday. We look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his government to ensure a strong, stable and thriving STEM sector.
The STEM sector was pleased that during the campaign the coalition acknowledged the importance of science and technology to Australia’s health, wealth, and environment and confirmed their support for a Science Minister in cabinet.
With the election over, the peak body for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is now focused on the opportunities ahead.
President of STA, Professor Emma Johnston AO, said the re-election gives the coalition a mandate to continue their work in setting a clear and strategic direction for the STEM sector.
“We encourage the new government to work with the science and research sectors to craft a formal plan and prioritise bold investment that empowers the Australian science and technology sector to secure the nation’s prosperity,” said Professor Johnston.
“The National Science Statement in 2017 was a good first step, but we hope to see the sector provided with a strategic plan that enables it to most effectively contribute to Australia’s prosperity.”
Professor Johnston said STA would keep working towards ambitious initiatives like the establishment of a Research Translation Fund that complements the work of the Australian Research Council, a fund that would be similar to the successful Medical Research Future Fund.
“Australian researchers outperform many of our international colleagues; despite our small population we often rank within the top 10 countries in the world for both the production and impact of our research,” she said.
“However we need to do more to translate this knowledge, and to encourage businesses to invest and engage in more extensive collaborative research.”
