New science and research agenda: Stakeholders warn of empty promises without a firm plan

Medical & Science: Australia’s new National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities have been unveiled, marking the first update in nearly a decade since the former Abbott government released its priorities. Yet, the Australian Academy of Science warned that without a concrete implementation plan to drive action across government portfolios, the priorities risk becoming ineffective.

The National Science Statement sets out five guiding principles for government investment over the next ten years. These principles are designed to realign key departments to support major government policies, including Future Made in Australia, the National Skills Roadmap, and the Universities Accord.

In conjunction with this, the National Science and Research Priorities, developed by Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley following extensive consultation with experts and the public, outlines specific research priorities in health and environmental sustainability for the next decade.

Historically, science and research priorities have struggled to make a significant impact due to a lack of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This has hindered efforts to focus and scale up research in critical areas.

Professor Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Science, emphasised “It’s imperative that the priorities are backed by a robust implementation plan that clarifies how ministers across governments, and the industry and research sectors can use the levers available to them to turn words into action.

“If the government is serious about implementing its core industrial policy – Future Made in Australia – it will be serious about implementing the National Science and Research Priorities.”

Universities Australia CEO, Luke Sheehy, echoed this sentiment, warning, “Declining government investment in research and development will jeopardise our ability to continue producing the skills, knowledge and ideas that will power the economy, spur productivity and define Australia’s success in the coming decades.

“The government’s commitment before the last election to boost research and development investment to 3% of GDP is a step in the right direction, but we must see measures in the near-term to support our research system.”

Karen Livesey, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Newcastle, commented “It appears from the statement that universities and large facilities like ANSTO will be business as usual toward 2034, since they are already performing above world standards. Hidden from this statement is our low and decreasing spend of GDP on research compared to other developed nations.

“Some of the low spend of GDP is due to a relatively weak investment by Australian industry in research. But collaborations between research and industry are difficult without financial support of current scientists. We don’t want to be ‘celebrated’, as laid out in the third imperative. We want to be funded to do our jobs and create new knowledge for the nation.”

Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, reflected on the significance of the announcement, saying, “Thirty-five years ago, Bob Hawke released his National Science Statement, establishing the first national Chief Scientist and The National Science and Technology Council. This new statement continues his legacy of elevating science.

“The Priorities also recognise the breadth of knowledge systems developed over 65,000 years on this continent by First Nations people – and seek to apply that know-how for our economic and social benefit.”

Professor Jagadish added, “When supported with investment, the National Science and Research Priorities can drive scientific and technological progress at the scale we need to meet our national and global challenges.

“Australia needs urgently to transition its economy to make it more complex and resilient to external shocks. This requires us to prioritise those activities only Australia can perform and those that we must perform to have a seat at the global decision-making table.”

Dr Foley shared insights from her consultations, remarking, “I found a remarkable consensus among the Australians I met around the country during the national conversation to develop these priorities. It’s fantastic to know that Australians share this ambition for the country we want to be – one that protects our unique environment, moves quickly to clean energy in a way that creates new industries and maintains prosperity, ensures everyone has access to advanced healthcare no matter where they live, and protects the strength of our democracy.

“Australians also want Indigenous knowledge and knowledge systems at the centre of all we do.

“Science is at the heart of almost every aspect of our lives, and is especially important as we tackle today’s challenges.”

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