Audacious science for Australia's future

The Prime Minister has launched one of the largest targeted scientific research programs in Australia's history.

The National Research Flagships initiative brings together science and industry across the nation to tackle key challenges in vital fields such as preventive healthcare, light metals, water, food, oceans and energy, the Chief Executive of CSIRO, Dr Geoff Garrett, said.

"The goals are large and challenging - deliberately so. We will be using frontier science to deliver a real difference to the lives, health, jobs and environment of Australians."

Dr Garrett said the goals of the initiative are to:

• extend the part of their lives in which Australians are healthy and productive by 10 years, through early diagnosis and prevention
• double the economic value of Australian light metals production to $10 billion over 10 years while reducing environmental impact
• help achieve a 10-fold increase in the social, economic and environmental benefits from water use in support of the Government's $40bn environment industry action agenda
• transform the international competitiveness and add $3 billion a year in value to Australia's agrifood sector over 10 years
• generate sustainable wealth from our marine resources
• help position Australia as a world leader in clean, cost-efficient and secure energy.

"National teamwork and partnership are key ingredients for success in science, technology and innovation in the 21st century. Partnerships provide Australia with the critical mass to compete in the growing global knowledge economy," Dr Garrett says.

"Every Flagship is a partnership of leading companies and research institutions, enabling us to capture the benefits of our own discoveries and advances.

"Each Flagship is the result of wide consultation between CSIRO, government, other scientific institutions and industry. As a result, they align closely with the National Research Priorities."

Item provided courtesy of The CSIRO. For further information on each of the Flagships, please visit the CSIRO website.