Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Science, industry and innovation form the cornerstone of Australia's economic prosperity. These sectors drive advancements in technology, infrastructure and productivity. They foster growth and competitiveness on a global scale. Through scientific research, discoveries are made that lead to groundbreaking innovations, and create new products, services and industries. And industry relies on innovation to remain dynamic, adapting to changing market demands and staying ahead of competitors. This symbiotic relationship fuels economic development, generating jobs, attracting investment and enhancing Australia's reputation as a leader in many fields.

There is no doubt that, with the economic challenges we face as a nation, we need to invest in science and innovation and industry more than ever, and that's why many in the industry are worried. This motion notes the importance of science in helping Australia solve some of its biggest challenges and diversifying the economy. But I know industry is worried and scientists are worried due to reports earlier this month of some unrest in the cabinet about spending. To quote the Age article:

Industry, Science and innovation Minister Ed Husic had complained directly to Albanese that the cabinet's powerful expenditure review committee—responsible for overseeing ministers' submissions for budget measures—was shutting out ministers from decision-making.

Husic also raised concerns about what he saw as the influence of the committee of two unelected bureaucrats. Finance department secretary Jenny Wilkinson and Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy. Some critics claim the pair are holding the government back from spending on Labor policy initiatives. That's a concern for industry—at a time when we need to invest in science and back science, the minister is at war with the Treasurer and the Expenditure Review Committee about what funding will go into this important area. It's another example of the Albanese Labor government failing to understand this new dynamic economy that we operate in. Nothing shows that more than their lack of appointing a minister for the digital economy. The need to drive industry, to drive capital investment and to continue to drive those innovative products we have and we require. Again and again, this government is missing these opportunities to drive economic growth through for country. So I hope the member for Swan, who moved this motion and is passionate about science, speaks out tomorrow in caucus and asks this Prime Minister this Treasurer if they are actually going to back science and put money behind it.

I also want to commend Science and Technology Australia for the important work they do. The Science Meets Parliament event is a great event. It's one of the events that I've really enjoyed since becoming a new member of parliament. I particularly want to thank and acknowledge Professor Geoff Brooks from the Swinburne University. He's a resident in Casey. Over the last 12 months, he's been working with me as my science expert through this program. It's been great to talk to Professor Brooks about his different areas of expertise, but he also has the ability to connect me with other experts. One of the things I admire about Professor Brooks is that he knows what he knows, but he's also willing to admit when he's not an expert in an area, which is something we should also do. It's an example of the importance of science and technology and the importance of elected officials relying on experts while also understanding that experts have expertise in that narrow area. Professor Brooks said to me that he looks through problems with a straw, and we need to look broader than that. I appreciate his advice and his counsel.

I look forward to speaking on a panel at Science Meets Parliament on Thursday to share my experiences since being elected. I'm looking forward to meeting and engaging with some scientists that are coming to my office this week. We in Australia have a strong scientific community. It's important that we respect them, that we engage with them, that we listen to them and that we continue to work with them. The Science and Technology Australia event is one of these really important forums to continue. I note, as the member for McPherson said, that the Deputy Prime Minister is a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Science. I hope he can also lend his weight to the member for Swan's work in talking to the Treasurer and the Prime Minister and making sure that science and industry gets the support it needs from this government to help alleviate some of the significant economic challenges we face as a country.

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