We:

     Professor Brian Schmidt, Australian Nobel Laureate

     Professor Robert Williamson, Australian Academy of Science

     Peter Laver, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

     Professor Tony Peacock, Cooperative Research Centres Association

     Professor Les Field, Group of Eight Australia

     Catriona Jackson, CEO Science and Technology Australia

     Belinda Robinson, Chief Executive, Universities Australia

     Professor Brendan Crabb, President, Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes

 Call on all politicians to take action in line with the six fundamental principles [listed below]:

Investing strategically and sustainably

Governments must support planned, stable and appropriate investment in research over the long term, which is essential if we are to tackle large, complex problems and opportunities facing Australia. This will yield better results and ensure the best use of every dollar spent.

Building our research workforce – getting and keeping the best

To ensure we attract and retain the best researchers we must offer appropriate conditions. Many of the nation’s world class researchers are stuck in a cycle of one- to three-year  grants for their salaries and research materials. This career uncertainty means many leave research or leave Australia to seek a stable future. The nation is the loser every time uncertainty impedes discovery, prevents planning and inhibits fruitful partnerships.

Building a productive system and getting the most out of it

Governments must set a stable and sustainable funding framework for infrastructure (buildings, equipment and the technical experts to keep them operating), especially for national facilities without which critical work cannot continue or even begin. This must be backed with resources that keep valuable facilities running once they are built. A central research infrastructure investment framework, such as National Research Investment Plan (NRIP), is essential.

Being among and working with the world’s best

Global collaboration is more necessary than ever with the rise of international research, commerce, communication and other systems that transform our lives and opportunities. Our best researchers must be able to work with the best globally, building on the credibility Australian researchers already have across a wide array of disciplines. This will require a strategic investment that can facilitate international engagement at a government to government level, as well as support for collaboration on specific research projects.

Bringing industry and academia together

When industry and researchers work together effectively we innovate and multiply our strengths. We must ensure there are clear and reliable policy incentives that facilitate deep and sustained collaboration between industry, public sector, university and research institutes. This not only ensures that the benefits from basic research are translated into practice in Australia, but also harnesses national talent and creates knowledge, opportunity and new jobs.

Expanding industry research

Governments need to create an environment which encourages industry to invest more in research and which makes Australia an attractive place for international companies to undertake research. Improving industrial productivity has become critical to ensuring strong growth and innovation underpinned by research and development and investment plays a key part in meeting this objective.

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This is a call for a strategy to retain and develop fundamental national capability in a highly competitive contemporary world.  In research we know that the more the nation invests the more rewards we will all have to share for decades to come.

At this critical time we call on all federal politicians to commit to the six fundamental principles, and to encourage and enable Australians to build a research system that makes the most of all our precious resources.