Science & Technology Australia congratulates the incoming Government and new crossbench MPs on their election wins – and looks forward to working with every MP and Senator across the Parliament to advance the sector’s key policy priorities.
We also thank outgoing MPs and Senators who advocated for science and technology in their time in Parliament.
Ahead of the election, the Australian Labor Party confirmed its detailed commitments to funding science, technology and research in response to STA’s sector priorities – as did the Coalition parties.
The new crossbench of Greens and key Independent MPs also made pre-election statements to STA on science and technology, including pledging to work for deeper Australian investments in R&D.
STA Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert said:
“Ahead of the election, Labor committed to pass legislation for the new $1.6 billion research commercialisation fund, adopt a fixed timetable for research grant announcements, and work with industry and universities to boost Australia’s investment in research and development closer to 3% of GDP,” she said.
“These are important commitments to strengthen Australia’s economy and society through science and technology capabilities.”
“We look forward to working across the breadth of the Parliament to seize opportunities for Australia enabled by science and technology, and put Australia at the forefront of even more global advances,” she said.
“STA will continue to be a leading voice to help ‘level up’ Australia’s performance on research commercialisation as the new accelerator program starts its crucial work in coming months. This is a longstanding key policy priority for our sector.”
“We will also work with Government to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in science, including through Science & Technology Australia’s game-changing Superstars of STEM program.”
Ahead of the 2022 Election, Science & Technology Australia invited parties and candidates to respond to 10 election priorities of the science and technology sector.
The priorities identified major science and technology policy settings and investments needed for Australia to seize crucial opportunities for the country.
In its response, Labor said it “believed Australia can be a global STEM superpower” and vowed to work with industry and the research sector to lift Australia’s R&D investment “getting it closer to 3% of GDP achieved in other countries”.
The ALP pledged its support to legislate the Australian Economic Accelerator as part of the University Research Commercialisation Action Plan.
It said: “An Albanese Labor Government will prioritise science and technology with our comprehensive plan to create jobs, boost vital skills by investing in education and training, bring industry expertise back onshore and supercharge national productivity.”
Science & Technology Australia is the nation’s peak body representing more than 90,000 scientists and technologists nationwide.
Media contact: Martyn Pearce, STA: 0432 606 828
