Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek to make a short contribution to this debate, but the length of my contribution does not reflect the importance that I place on this piece of legislation, the Australian Research Council Amendment Bill 2010. Unfortunately, I have to be somewhere else and I am able to only make a very short contribution. I am quite passionate about research and the need for us as a nation to invest in research, to make sure research projects are properly funded and to ensure that as a government we support science.

For many years we have not given the support that we need to give to our science graduates and to supporting scientists once they complete their studies. I believe that this legislation does assist to that degree. It provides funding for the Australian Research Council to support research schemes. It also provides funding for the 2009-10 budget initiative, the Super Science Fellowships scheme, it continues funding of the National ICT Australia and provides funding for Australia’s 2020 commitment, the Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology initiative.

It is very important that we note that the National Competitive Grants Program is of benefit to each of us in this parliament. Those of us who have universities or students who attend nearby universities benefit from these research programs. The Newcastle University, which is staffed by people who live in the Shortland electorate and is attended by students who live in the Shortland electorate, has been a beneficiary of the National Competitive Grants Program over the years and currently.

The Super Science Fellowship scheme is one of the strategies that the Rudd government has introduced to address the brain drain, where our brightest science graduates tend to go overseas because they cannot get the recognition and cannot undertake the kinds of programs that they wish to. The Super Science Fellowship scheme consists of 100 three-year early career fellowships to be awarded to the most promising young researchers, allowing them to continue to have the opportunity to work in areas of national significance during the global recession.

We need to keep those scientists, the 100 recipients of those early career fellowships, in this country because they are the future of science in Australia. We need those graduates to make a commitment to science here in this country, to be at the cutting edge of scientific endeavour. This fellowship scheme makes that possible. It will attract the brightest young graduates and encourage them to remain here in Australia. That is one aspect of this legislation that I think is of vital importance to the future of science in this country and to the future of Australia as a nation, where we can be making sure that we are involved in the latest research and the latest technologies that are produced.

This bill also provides funding for research into bionic vision science and technology. This is something that has been developed in response to the 2020 Summit. I note that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research last year nominated two teams to share $50 million funding to develop a bionic ear. That happened in December last year. These are the sorts of projects that will be looked at under this initiative.

These are important initiatives that will position Australia at the cutting edge of science and technology. I am sure members on the other side would want to support our young scientists and support new technologies. I would be most disappointed if any members on the other side of this House did not see the benefit to Australia of the research grants that were given at the end of last year by the minister for developing bionic eye science and technology.

The bill also provides additional funding for the National ICT Australia, which plays an important role in building Australia’s research and skill base and is a key national innovation asset. It is important to note that NICTA employs 700 people. This is an independent company specialising in information and communication technology—the cutting edge of fast-speed broadband—and will be important in positioning Australia in the world as a leader rather than a follower. This is what this legislation is about—positioning Australia to be leaders and making sure that we are at the cutting edge of science and technology. The Rudd government is making a commitment to the future of Australia.

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