Chief scientist quits

Chief scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, has accepted a full time position with Rio Tinto and will not seek reappointment as Australia's senior science advisor for a third term.

"During Dr Batterham's tenure, he was instrumental in encouraging investments in science and raising science awareness among the broader community," said science minister Dr Brendan Nelson.

"Robin has been an enthusiastic chief scientist, who has helped transform the government's view of investment in science, research and development and technology," said Bradley Smith, executive director of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS).

Batterham's tenure was dogged with controversy because he was working part time for Rio Tinto while also working part time as chief scientist, giving rise to claims of a conflict of interest.

"FASTS has long argued the position should be full time not part time," said Smith. "We also hope that the government appoints a replacement who is fully engaged with science processes."

Nelson has invited Batterham to participate in the process to recommend a new chief scientist to the prime minister and a spokesperson from the department of education, science and training said that arrangements for the appointment of the new chief scientist will be announced shortly. "FASTS would expect that the new chief scientist will be well aware of the huge diversity of benefits of science, technology and R&D and be a powerful advocate of the need for diversity in public policy to support those endeavours," said Smith.

In addition to his role as chief scientist, Batterham also served as executive officer of the prime minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation council as well as the Australian Research Council, the Cooperative Research Centres Committee, the Prime Minister's Prize for Science Committee and the Coordination Committee on Science and Technology.