Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his question. It was my great pleasure this morning to announce the first successful projects under the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme. This scheme supports research of national and global significance by researchers of international standing. One object of ‘Powering ideas’ is to create viable career paths for Australian researchers. We have already increased support for research trainees with more Australian postgraduate awards and higher stipends. The government has established 1,000 new Future Fellowships for midcareer researchers, and the Super Science initiative announced in last month’s budget includes 100 new Super Science fellowships for early career researchers.

In September last year I announced that the Australian government will be spending $239 million over five years on a new Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme to replace the Federation Fellowships scheme. The aim of the education revolution is to transform every stage of the learning journey from preschool to postdoc and beyond. Each Australian laureate fellow will lead and mentor a team of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. One of our first two female laureate fellows will be a fine example of the young women in science. All of the fellows will work on projects that promise real benefit to Australia, whether in economic, environmental, social or cultural terms. They will help us combat superbugs, build safer infrastructure, create lighter materials and strengthen our democratic traditions. They will bring us a step closer to meeting the practical needs and fulfilling the aspirations of families and communities around the country and around the world.