The Academy continues to deliver COVID-19 related activities, such as the Rapid Research Information Forum formed under the leadership of Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel.
In May, the Academy led the development of a rapid research report for the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology and the Minister for Health on the most promising vaccines for COVID-19.
Other rapid research reports included:
The second COVID-19 related ‘Science for Australians’ feature has been published. Humanity cannot afford a COVID-19 patent battle, written by Professor Dianne Nicol and Associate Professor Jane Nielsen, explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has seen Australia and other countries committing to a shared research and funding effort to develop vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19. This is in contrast to the traditional global research effort which is normally highly competitive.
The Academy has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region.
The Academy has also made a submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, sometimes referred to as the Bushfires Royal Commission. The submission consists of a series of expert briefs on bushfire recovery.
Based on its submission to the Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in April, the Academy was invited to participate in a roundtable on 29 May to discuss how science and information can support the EPBC Act to enable effective environment protection and biodiversity conservation. This is part of a series of roundtables led by Professor Graeme Samuel AC to explore key issues and potential future reform directions.
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