Submissions to Government

The Academy broadly supports the direction of the proposed strategy, particularly its focus on research excellence, workforce capability and translational research.

The Academy offers advice to strengthen Australia's climate change policy and ensure that Australia maintains the scientific capability required to respond to the challenges of climate change.

The Academy calls for urgent, science-led climate action, stronger modelling capability and regional leadership to support 1.5°C pathways, emissions reductions and equitable local adaptation.

Australia’s environmental law reform will fail to halt biodiversity decline unless environmental offsets are made measurable, enforceable and outcome focused.

The National Environmental Standards should be clear, unambiguous, measurable and enforceable.

The Academy recommends climate‑adjusted water limits, stronger monitoring and sustained research investment to safeguard the Murray–Darling Basin, as current settings risk accelerating ecological decline.

If data centres are to continue to be built on Australian shores, using Australian power, water and land, they must be delivering value back into the communities they are joining.

The Academy recommends that Queensland’s Science and Innovation Strategy prioritises fundamental research, workforce development, First Nations knowledge, and mission-driven collaboration to enhance long-term innovation, resilience and global competitiveness.

Microplastics are widespread and suspected to harm human health, but major gaps in measurement, exposure data and standards mean risks remain uncertain.

The Academy recommends increasing investment in R&D and STEM to boost productivity, competitiveness and innovation – addressing the chronic underinvestment of the past decade and strategic gaps.