News & Views item - August 2010

 

 

FASTS' Challenge to the Contestants of the 2010 Federal Election: declare your commitment to science and innovation as core drivers of the national economy. (August 4, 2010)

In the 15-page Science and Innovation: 2010 Federal Election the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) outlines the issues that its members have identified as priorities in science and innovation in the lead up to the 2010 Federal Election.

 

Together with the Australian Academy of Science, FASTS has found that "80% of Australians believe science education is absolutely essential or very important to the national economy".

 

FASTS CEO, Anna-Maria Arabia, has stated:

 

Science and innovation are core economic issues because they lead to the creation of wealth, jobs and a better quality of life. Where would the mining industry, the defence force, commuters and iPhone users be without science?

The OECD has recognised that innovation will be the key to emerging from the economic downtown experienced across the globe, so Australia cannot afford to be behind the pack when it comes to investment in innovation.

Science is at its best when we have a supported, trusted and confident science community; when governments are prepared to factor in the scientific evidence base in their decision making; when the community at large is scientifically literate; and when there is recognition that every taxpayer dollar invested in science is a dollar well spent.

The issues outlined in our Questionnaire are ones FASTS’ Members feel very strongly about. That is why we ask the major and minor Parties to clearly set out their policies.

 

According to Ms Arabia: "Questionnaire responses are expected from the Parties by 11 August" when she hopes we "will have a chance to compare policies."

 

Here we reprint the specific questions FASTS has put to Australia's political parties which specifically  address 8 priority areas.

 

Science and Innovation: 2010 Federal Election was provided to the political parties and gives the background pertaining to the matters specified in the questionnaire's priority areas.