Academy of Science welcomes national research priorities

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement of the national research priorities. The priorities are exciting, comprehensive and will capture the imagination and support of the Australian community, it claims.

Professor Michael Barber, Secretary, Science Policy said, "The priorities provide great opportunities for exciting, fundamental science at a world-class level and will further enhance Australia's presence as an important player on the international stage."

"The research community will be delighted that the government has recognised that science is now at the centre of government policy-making, and can make a vital contribution to the quality of all our lives."

"These research priorities promise to increase the likelihood of creating futures that the nation would prefer and to decrease the likelihood of futures that we would rather avoid," Prof. Barber said. "They balance the pursuit of opportunities for wealth creation with attention to the risks that we all face "“ risks to our wealth, health, state of the environment and our safety."

The Academy commends the government on the widespread consultation process carried out in order to define the priorities.

Item provided courtesy of The Australian Academy of Science