AAS President Suzanne Cory Speaks Out. (August 7, 2010)

The immediate past director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and current president of the Australian Academy of Science, Suzanne Cory, has given an extensive interview to The Age's Deborah Smith in which she addresses Australia's political leaders:

Ms Smith concludes her interview:

[Professor Cory's] benchmark for Australian politicians was established last year after a trip to the US. Cory and [her husband professor Jerry] Adams travelled there to formalise their election as members of the US National Academy of Sciences. ''We were admitted at the same ceremony, which was very special for us personally,'' says Cory.

But the icing on the cake was hearing US President Barack Obama announce to the gathered scientists what he described as the largest commitment to scientific research and innovation in US history.

''To see him embracing science and extolling the transformative power of investment in science and technology was very inspiring,'' she says. ''I would like to see our government as enthusiastic as I heard him on that day.''

She believes the future prosperity of the country depends on increased spending on science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

''But I haven't heard anything about that from either leader yet,'' she says. ''The economic crisis has consumed attention and spending and we're in danger of letting other investments slide.''

All political parties need to agree on the importance of supporting scientific innovation. ''You can't turn it on and off like a tap.''

Cory would also like to see a scientific adviser attached to each government department to ensure the government has access to the best scientific evidence on which to base its policies. Making sure policymakers and the public have access to the best scientific evidence on issues is the Australian Academy of Science's most important role, she says.

A definitive document on climate change will be released soon. And a conference on Australia in 2050 is planned, discussing issues of population, water resources and ecology.

''We want to provoke a national discourse on big topics,'' Cory says.

We would like to suggest that as a start, the Office of the Chief Scientist must be incorporated into the Department of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet with the Chief Scientist having direct access to the Prime Minister.