Then Job Arose, and Rent His Mantle. (August 11, 2010)

Yesterday the Australian Labor Party announced its science policy entitled Science for Australia’s Future. The policy includes $21 million in funding for Inspiring Australia, branding it the country’s first ever national strategy for science communication.

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, in announcing the program to foster greater awareness and understanding of science by the public community noted it would also further support for science prizes and events. In addition, the funding is also to be used to boost media training for scientists and cadetships for science journalists.

The Minister made the point to The Australian's Andrew Trounson that the scientific method was coming under public attack, undermining science and replacing it with irrationality: "In all fields we want to encourage debate, but that doesn't mean we have to accept the earth is flat. We don't have to accept every lunatic proposition that comes along as the basis of a legitimate view, which now seems to be increasingly present."

Meanwhile, A spokesperson for the Australian Academy of Science told Mr Trounson: "Despite the emphasis given in recent years to the value of evidence-based policy by major political parties, new policy announcements and spending initiatives are rarely referenced with peer-reviewed research to substantiate the arguments."

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The full three-page science policy statement by Labor is available on line and overall is written in language that would make even Don Watson cringe. Here we reprint the two paragraphs of substance... Oh, and a short Biblical quotation in summation.

Nevertheless, all things considered the alternative of a conservative coalition with its legacy of drip feeding learning and research is disquieting at best.

 INSPIRING AUSTRALIA: A NEW STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

In keeping with this commitment, Labor will invest $21 million in Inspiring Australia, the country’s first ever national strategy for science engagement. Australia’s future prosperity and wellbeing depend on our ability to create and apply science. This isn’t just a challenge for scientists; it is a challenge for the nation. We need workers who can handle advanced technologies, citizens who can make informed decisions about scientific questions, and communities that can use the products of science to increase opportunities and improve their quality of life. We need to encourage young Australians to study science and pursue science-related careers.

FUNDING

Funding for Inspiring Australia will be fully offset over the forward estimates, consistent with  the Government’s commitment to return the budget to surplus in three years. Funding for other commitments is already included in the budget.

In addition to the announcement on 24 July 2010, there will be modest reductions in  Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research programs totalling $21 million. This  will include Enterprise Connect ($6 million), the Cooperative Research Centres Program ($7.5  million) and the Collaborative Research Networks Scheme ($7.5 million).

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