News & Views item - November 2007

 

PMSEIC and the Chief Scientist. (November 25, 2007)

Former Prime Minister, John Howard, announced the formation of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) on 18 December 1997.

According to the announcement of the day: "The Council is the Australian Government's principal source of independent advice on issues in science, engineering and innovation and relevant aspects of education and training. The Council meets in full session, twice a year, to discuss major national issues in science, engineering and technology and their contribution to the economic and social development of Australia. To underpin its advisory role, the Council has resources to examine Australia's science and engineering capabilities and the effectiveness of their organisation and utilisation. The non-ministerial members constitute the Standing Committee of the Council, and oversee and contribute to studies and research aimed at improving understanding of the major, science, engineering and innovation issues."

 

In fact PMSEIC has been little more than a biannual talkfest in the ten years of its existence.

The current membership list consists of ten governmental ministers, 14 ex-officio members, five members appointed in a personal capacity, and the "Standing Committee, the non-ministerial members of PMSEIC [who] meet four times a year. Much of its work is undertaken through working groups comprising members and those co-opted from industry, universities, science agencies and government departments. The Standing Committee responds to issues referred by Government or by meetings of PMSEIC; and identifies and develops a range of issues to considered by PMSEIC."

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To say that the effect of PMSEIC's deliberations, the papers prepared for and by it, and the advice given by the scientists and engineers that were and are part of it, on Coalition governmental policy has been negligible would we overstating its importance.

 

While the incoming Labor Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the shadow minister of Science, Innovation and Training, Kim Carr have stated that the position of chief scientist will become full time, that remains to be confirmed, and who will be chosen to fill the office is open -- and when -- has to be clarified.

 

On the other hand the role of PMSEIC in the new government, i.e. will it become a body of consequence, cease existence, or just remain a talking shop should be spelt out.