The National Research and Innovation Alliance comprises 16 national organisations representing constituencies of researchers and research organisations that work together to advise and influence government and other stakeholders on issues relevant to the advancement of research and innovation in Australia. The Alliance is co-convened by the Academy and Science & Technology Australia, and was pleased to host new Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science the Hon Greg Hunt MP and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator the Hon Kim Carr at its meeting on 8 August.
Minister Hunt took the opportunity to deliver his first major address as Minister, announcing Dr Steve Rintoul FAA as interim director of the CSIRO Climate Science Centre in Hobart, a decadal climate science monitoring and forecasting capability to be established within the centre, the launch of the Global Innovation Linkages program, and plans to revise the CSIRO Statement of Expectations.
The Minister outlined his priorities in the portfolio as delivering on the National Innovation and Science Agenda; finalising the national science statement (the performance audit of Australia’s science, innovation and research system); developing the 2030 plan for science and innovation; and finalising and implementing the national research infrastructure roadmap. He also wants Australia’s total investment in R&D to exceed the OECD average during this term in government (requiring an increase from the current 2.1% of GDP to around 2.4%), and that he expects to be able to announce two further phases of the National Innovation and Science Agenda during this term of government.
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