The YES vote, economic impact of research and Eureka Prizes: Your update on science and technology policy and advocacy

We have a date! Honouring decades of powerful and patient advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, Australians will finally get a chance to vote on October 14 in an historic referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition and a voice to Parliament.

This moment has been a long time coming. Science & Technology Australia proudly declares our strong support for a YES vote. We call our community to action. We ask each of you to use every waking moment over the crucial next six weeks to share your support in our sector and with our fellow Australians. To inspire you, here’s how past Science Meets Parliament speaker Tanya Hosch made the case for YES last week.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are this country’s first scientists. The songlines of our continent are intricate scientific knowledge systems. The Ngemba people’s Brewarrina Fish Traps on the Barwon River in New South Wales are an engineering marvel and one of the oldest human-made structures on the planet. Indigenous astronomy was the first astronomy – existing long before the Babylonians, Greeks, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment. Yet nothing in Australia’s constitution acknowledges this country’s history prior to federation – the 65,000 years of Indigenous presence, history and culture.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a generous, heartfelt statement. It calls for recognition in the Constitution through a voice. History has its eyes on us. It’s time to respond.

To get involved, sign up on the Yes23 campaign website as a supporter and volunteer – and encourage others to do so as your ‘call to action’. And please use your channels to share, like, and amplify the social media messaging on this from STA.

Last week, new research showed a three-fold return on public investment from Australian Research Council -funded research. This makes a powerful case for deeper investment in Australian research. As I told The Australian newspaper and InnovationAus.com , these figures also reveal the cost of under-investment in Australian research. Every dollar not spent on research is $3.32 in economic activity lost. Imagine how many jobs could be created, how much wealth generated, and how many life-improving advancements could be invented through a powerful boost to the nation’s research funding.

Australia, right now, is a country mile from the 3% of GDP goal we should have for R&D investment, and we will continue to strongly advocate for a powerful boost in funding.

It was a delight to connect STA President-elect Professor Sharath Sriram with Education Minister Jason Clare MP at the AFR Higher Education Summit. And it was a joy to see ANU Vice-Chancellor and Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt honoured with the AFR lifetime achievement award for his leadership in science, research and the university sector. Brian is a champion of Australian science and technology – and we're grateful for his continuing leadership.

Finally, congratulations to all the brilliant researchers named as 2023 Eureka Prize Winners. Run by fabulous STA members the Australian Museum , the Eureka Prizes are an inspiring annual celebration of science in Australia – the Oscars for Science – and the finalists and winners showcase the life-changing science underway across this country. Congratulations to all of you!

Until next time,

Misha Schubert

CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

• The Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers addressed the National Press Club to release the 2023 Intergenerational Report.
• The Minister for Education Jason Clare released the Government Response to the independent review of the ARC Act. 
• The Australian Research Council released an evaluation of the return on investment in ARC-funded research. 
• The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced the appointment of Professor Emma Johnston AO to the CSIRO Board. 
• The Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek announced the agreement between the Federal and several state/territory governments to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full. 
• The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care released an update on the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review. 
• The Minister for Education Jason Clare addressed the Australian Financial Review Higher Education summit, as did the Shadow Minister for Education Senator Sarah Henderson.
• The Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh addressed the National Press Club and discussed an Australian Centre for Evaluation.
• The Deputy PM and Minister for Defence Australia Richard Marles announced a review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012. 
• The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic addressed the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.
• The NAPLAN results were released. 
• Jobs and Skills Australia released the Jobs and Skills Atlas. 
• ACER released a paper Invisible women: Gender representation in high school science courses across Australia. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

• The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator is calling for comments on the licence application for a clinical trial of a GM alphavirus for cancer treatment. Submissions close 5 October. 
• Jobs and Skills Australia is inviting comments on the Jobs and Skills Atlas. Submissions close 12 October. 
• The Australian Government Department of Education is consulting on the 2024 International TPS Levy through a series of workshops throughout late August and September. 
• TEQSA is consulting on proposed adjustments to fees and charges for 2024. Submissions close 25 September.

GRANTS, FUNDING, AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Join Australia's Women in STEM Ambassador for a webinar on 11 September about ‘Evaluation in Equity: ask the experts’  for anyone planning or running an EDI program.
• SXSW Sydney is offering a “Tech Industry Badge” to their upcoming event on 15–22 October. Use the code A0AABT548 to secure a discount for this week-long event.
• Future Earth Australia has funding available to anyone working in the sustainability and environment sector: the Seizing Opportunities grants range from $200 to $1000 and are available until resources run out, and the Creating Opportunities grants range from $1000 to $5000 with applications closing on 13 October 2023.
• The 2023 AAMRI Convention will be held over 18–19 October at the National Museum of Australia with a dinner at Parliament House.
• The Australian Radiation Protection And Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is calling for nominations for the Nuclear Safety Committee. Nominations close 19 September.

Events

Women in STEM Careers Fair – hosted by iSTEM Co.

Wednesday 6 September 10am–3pm AEST

Australian Computer Society (ACS) Bay City Labs

Level 14, 839 Collins Street, Docklands, VIC  3008

The admission price of $50 includes lunch and refreshments.

This event offers companies and STEM-qualified women the opportunity to network and explore opportunities – from internships, employment and leadership opportunities to talking with career coaches and DEI consultants.

STA delivers strong benefits to members, including discounted professional services via our Member Benefits Program.

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