Australia’s investment in science is going backwards and will drive the nation’s best and brightest towards better opportunities offshore, the Australian Academy of Science has warned.
Australia’s investment in science is moving backwards and will drive the nation’s best and brightest towards greater opportunities offshore, the Australian Academy of Science has warned in a submission to the National Commission of Audit.
The nation is not investing nearly enough in science, said Australian Academy of Science Secretary for Science Policy and UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Les Field.
“Australia is going backwards while other governments around the world have recognised that investing in science is essential to increasing resilience, productivity and competitiveness, and is fundamental to ensuring future prosperity,” Professor Field said.
“Strategic support for Australian research and for science, technology engineering and mathematics education is essential to achieving the goals set for the National Commission of Audit, such as ensuring long-term budget sustainability.
“Our best hope for creating a strong economy and addressing looming issues for society is through investing in science and innovation so that we have the tools in place to tackle tomorrow’s problems.”
Professor Field said the Academy welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent pledge to continue to support science to the fullest extent possible.
Visit the website to read the full media release and the Academy's submission to the National Commission of Audit.
