I was really pleased to take part in the launch today of the new National Science and Research Priorities, which set the path forward for the next decade. They are the outcome of a national conversation last year where I found broad agreement among Australians around the country we want to be.

Australians want a country that: 

• moves quickly to clean energy in a way that creates new industries and maintains prosperity.
• provides access to advanced healthcare no matter where people live.
• elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.
• protects our unique environment.
• protects the strength of our democracy.

This is the vision set out in the new science priorities – launched at the ANU on Monday, where I saw work on a really innovative system using enzymes to break down plastics so they can be reused in new products.

The priorities provide a focus for shared national effort across the science and research system, industry and the government. 

The elevation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge is one of the exciting aspects – recognising the need to work with Indigenous people to unlock new science and discovery based on Australia’s unique environment. Professor Bradley Moggridge hit the nail on the head when he spoke at the launch about bring the Indigenous and Western knowledge systems alongside each other to work together towards solutions for Australia. 

While we mark the launch today, it’s important to emphasise that the agreed Science and Research Priorities aren’t everything. Alongside the priorities, fundamental, blue-skies research remains essential to success – this is work focused on new areas of discovery where the outcome is not always obvious at the time. Without fundamental research, nothing else can follow.

Image caption: At the launch of the National Science and Research Priorities at Samsara Eco at the Australian National University, are, left to right: Professor Lachlan Blackhall from the ANU, Professor Bradley Moggridge from UTS, Alicia Payne MP, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP, and Dr Cathy Foley.

You can find the priorities and the new National Science Statement on the website of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Read the remarks:

Chief Scientist's remarks from the launch of the National Science and Research Priorities