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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-12-01 Daily Xml
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INTERNATIONAL BARCODE OF LIFE CONFERENCE

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (16:00): Yesterday, I was privileged to represent the Minister for Science and Information Economy at the 4th International Barcode of Life Conference at Adelaide University. Having a layman's interest in these sorts of things, I jumped at the opportunity. This conference, which ends tomorrow, has attracted about 450 of the world's experts in DNA barcoding technology, and this is the first time it has been held in the southern hemisphere, so it is a great opportunity for Adelaide University and our city generally to have these people here. I explained to the delegates how proud we are that they had chosen our city and encouraged them to see as much of our great state as they could.

The conference is being convened by Professor Andrew Lowe, Professor of Plant Conservation Biology and Director of the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity. The conference is addressing a range of DNA barcoding applications and developments, including the illegal wildlife and timber trade, pest and disease diagnostics, forensics, quarantine identifications, environmental monitoring and assessment, and animal, plant and microbial systems.

One of the conference's aims is to allow participants and sponsoring organisations (and several were represented) to promote partnerships to better enable the international scientific community to better manage biodiversity with DNA bar codes. One example of this work being carried out in our own state in the area of DNA barcoding is the work of Professor Andy Austin from the University of Adelaide and Dr Steve Cooper from the South Australian Museum. These two gentlemen have been DNA barcoding unique life forms which have been trapped for millions of years in aquifers used by mining companies in the Australian desert. The survey results show there are up to 850 different species of aquatic groundwater invertebrates identified there and, as a result of this work, mining companies have changed their water usage habits and are working closely with the researchers to ensure these unique life forms are preserved.

Among the distinguished guests and speakers at the conference are Professor James McWha, the Vice Chancellor; Scott Miller, the Director of the Consortium for the Barcode of Life; David Schindel, its secretary; Jesse Ausubel, from the Rockefeller Foundation in the United States; and also Peter Freeman, the Executive Director of the International Barcode of Life project.

The South Australian government has a longstanding commitment to science technology and innovation in this state, and I know that the former premier, who had the carriage of this sort of thing in previous times, retains a strong interest in this field. Since 2004, this government has invested more than $200 million in science, technology and innovation initiatives. In South Australia we need increasing numbers of people with skills, not only in science but also technology, engineering and mathematics (which are referred to in policy documents as STEM) to meet the needs of our industry and growing economy. Having highly skilled people who can work in the jobs of today and in the future is critical for our state, and will become even more critical as the mining boom takes hold.

To grow the number of South Australians with skills in STEM, the state government has its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Skills Strategy. This strategy aims to bring together industry and government to direct our STEM programs and activities. Through these connections with industry, we will create greater community awareness of the career opportunities available in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. While the demand for STEM skills is a global challenge, South Australia is determined to lead the way.

The STEM Skill Strategy recognises that, while there has been substantial government investment in improving the supply of people with STEM skills into the workforce, a more strategic approach is required in order for the supply of these skills to match forecast industry demand over the next decade. The strategy brings together many government initiatives to support increased participation, both in schools and in higher education, along with training providers.

In addition, South Australia's Strategic Plan (which provides the 100 key targets important to the future of our state) also identifies the growing importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Importantly, it aims to increase the number of South Australians with these undergraduate qualifications by 15 per cent by 2020. I wish the conference in its last days every success, and I do congratulate the Adelaide University on securing this prestigious event for our city.

I was a speaker at the Fremont High School awards night on Monday night and I met, again, Professor Gordon Howarth who is very active in the northern suburbs in terms of science education. He was educated in the northern suburbs, he moved out, gained his qualifications and moved back simply because he wanted to help encourage just this sort of thing—investment in the future in our kids in terms of science, mathematics and engineering.

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