Q&A:  Senate Estimates and the Chief Scientist. (February 23, 2011)

It is perhaps of consequence that John Holdren is designated  advisor to President Barack Obama for Science and Technology, and John Beddington, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, reports directly to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, while Penny Sackett holds the title of Chief Scientist for Australia. It doesn't say anything about being an advisor to the Prime Minister or her government or indeed as an advisor to anybody. It could well be seen as an honorary title, which according to media reports comes with an annual stipend of $330,000 an office staff of 16 and a $2.3 million annual budget.

Amplifying a statement she made to Senate estimates in October 2010 she told them today:  "I have not met, in her role as prime minister, Prime Minister Gillard. I have met with prime minister Rudd to give a direct personal briefing once."

In addition the Senate estimates hearing was told that meetings of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC), which Professor Sackett chairs had been cancelled by Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard and in fact the February 4 meeting of PMSEIC, the first for nine months was not attended by Ms Gillard.*

Over the past two years TFW has repeatedly noted Professor Sackett's perceptive  public utterances regarding global climate change and the anthropogenic effects on climate.

Nevertheless, she said today that she had not been asked by Mr Rudd either for advice prior to the Copenhagen climate conference, nor was she asked to be part of the delegation to, reported to have been between 50 to 100 officials accompany him.

When asked what she considered should be the role of the Chief Scientist for Australia: "I think the responsibility rests firmly with the Government to make it, to decide how the role of chief scientist for Australia will fit into the variety of advice that it receives on matters of science."

Former Chief Scientist Robin Batterham, a strong advocate of carbon sequestration, told The Australian that Professor Sackett's resignation could provide an opportunity to review whether the role and PMSEIC should continue in their present form. "It is always relevant to review institutions from time to time and the departure of a leader is as good a time as any to undertake a review."

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in defence of the government's use of the Chief Scientist for Australia told Senate estimates: "She's performed a very, very important role on behalf of the Australian people, a role that this Government made full-time; Professor Sackett has met with me on average once a month. We have regular dialogue on a range of matters, and of course formal briefings are presented."

Just how many formal briefings were given on what and to whom and how much attention was paid to them remains a mystery. Clearly they didn't involve the Prime Ministers.

On the other hand it is also noteworthy that the leader of the opposition, Tony Abbott, has to date had no comment regarding Professor Sackett's resignation. Has he ever asked to discuss any scientific issue with the Chief Scientist for Australia?

* Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office told the Canberra Times that a February 2011 meeting had been scheduled but then cancelled because of Cyclone Yasi.   Ms Gillard had assumed the Prime Ministership on the 24^th of June 2010.]