FASTS Ten Top Issues for 2004
1. BRING ON "BACKING AUSTRALIA'S ABILITY II"
BAA was a first step to invest in Australian science. It's time to take the
second step and increase our national investment to match the OECD average.
2. RETAIN OUR BRIGHT YOUNG RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
Recent science graduates have plenty of employment opportunities, but
postdoctoral researchers have run into a career bottleneck. The best ideas
will flourish if BAA II creates attractive career opportunities in research and
industry.
3. PhD SCIENCE GRADUATES TO INVIGORATE INDUSTRY
BAA II should provide matching Government funds to employ new PhD graduates in
industry for 2 years, to bring fresh scientific ideas for new methods and new
products, and to forge science-based industry career paths.
4. ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY TO BE MORE INVENTIVE
Give increased tax breaks on a sliding scale to reward companies prepared to
increase their investment in research, because enterprising and inventive
companies grow and provide more jobs.
5. ATTRACT VENTURE CAPITAL INTO NEW INDUSTRIES
Venture capital is in short supply. Make it more attractive to invest in new
ideas and new industries that have long term payoffs by lowering capital gains
tax for long term investments.
6. NOW WE HAVE THE MAP, AUSTRALIA NEEDS A COMPASS
The National Mapping exercise has shown us where we are. We should create a plan
for up to 10 years into the future that sets goals and national directions,
including national action plans on limiting climate change and on sustainable
energy strategies.
7. HECS BREAKS FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS
Science and maths teachers are in short supply in Australia, but they pay higher
HECS fees than other teachers and thus take home less pay. Bring in HECS breaks
for science graduates when they take on teacher employment.
8. COLLABORATION, NOT COMPETING SILOS
Destructive competition between separate research organizations for the funding
dollar limits research outcomes. Provide more collaborative funding incentives
to build on the different strengths of universities and Government funded
research agencies.
9. QUALITY SCIENCE GRADUATES
Quality science and technology graduates are vital to Australia's economic and
environmental future. We need measures to ensure that the new Higher Education
Funding arrangements help reverse the current decline in higher education
science enrolments.
10. WE ARE NOW 20 MILLION AND GROWING
Australia is a fragile continent with an expanding population. We need to
develop a scientifically based population strategy that takes into account
limits to growth determined by, for example, water resources and soil salinity.