Recognition for Chief Scientist

CAPA endorses the twenty-fifth recommendation of the Senate Committee Report, Universities in Crisis, that the Office of the Chief Scientist be made a full time position.

"The Chief Scientist plays an extremely valuable role in public life, most importantly as a source of independent, expert advice for the Government," commented CAPA President John Byron.

"The current Government has a particularly narrow view of the role of scientific research. It is predominantly concerned with the commercial exploitation of scientific discoveries and the income this can generate."

"In contrast, the recommendations made by the Chief Scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, in The Chance to Change, were far more extensive. It is unfortunate for the Australian scientific community that this government has failed to implement more of the Chief Scientist's recommendations."

CAPA also proposes the creation of an equivalent office for the humanities and social sciences.

"The Chief Scientist himself has recognised the importance of the humanities, as well as the sciences, to innovation," explained Mr Byron.

"The Chance to Change notes that we must nurture our research capabilities, not only in the "enabling' sciences of physics, chemistry and mathematics, but also in the humanities and social sciences."

Independent offices, such as that of the Chief Scientist, can help to ensure that a range of views are represented in the formation of public policy.

"The current government has sought to remove potentially dissenting voices from public debate, as demonstrated by its abolition of the National Board of Employment, Education and Training," said Mr Byron.

"I commend the Senate Committee for advocating the restoration of independent advisory bodies. Recommending that the Office of the Chief Scientist be made a full time position is indicative of the high value that the Committee places on independent advice," he concluded.