In the Light of the US' and World's Economic Downturn Will President Elect Obama's R&D Promises Be Kept? (November 14, 2008)

The Graphic is from the November 14, 2008 issue of Science. The quote below is from the accompanying article.

At the top of the list for many is the early appointment of a science adviser with the additional title of assistant to the president. (The current adviser, John Marburger, wasn't nominated until June 2001 and ranks a step below assistant on the White House pecking order.) Those actions would be a sign that the president-elect recognizes the importance of science to the country, says Ralph Cicerone, president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. "The world still loves and respects U.S. science, and it can be an instrument of good will--and good policies," says Cicerone. "When we wrote to both campaigns this summer, we did not say, 'Put more money into science.' What we said is that they need science to govern effectively."

Shouldn't Australia's Prime Minister give serious consideration, now that the appointment of a new Australian Chief Scientist has been realized, to elevating the position to the Department of  Prime Minister and Cabinet?