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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-13 Daily Xml
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National Science Week

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science and Information Economy a question about Science Week 2015.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: A concerning recent survey revealed that only 39 per cent of Australians believe that the benefits of science outweigh the risks. Minister, will you update the chamber about the recent launch of the program of events for Science Week 2015?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I recently had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the launch of the initial program of events for the 2015 National Science Week, which will take place later in August of this year. We know that science and scientific discoveries are extremely important to the future of this state. We have set ourselves the task of transitioning our economy from a traditional automotive manufacturing model to a much more high-value, advanced manufacturing model, and we know that science and innovation will help us to achieve that.

An honourable member: So will submarines.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: And so will submarines.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Were they in the budget? I didn't see them.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes, and so would federal assistance in relation to the transition of our automotive sector which, we noticed, the federal Liberal government failed to provide any support for in this budget that was handed down last night. What we are striving to achieve—particularly through priority 4 of the state's 10 economic priorities—is cultural change that strengthens the links between science and the world of entrepreneurship.

I was very pleased to announce at the launch that the state government will be committing $160,000 over the next four years to support science engagement activities, including the establishment of regional science hubs in collaboration with local partners. These hubs could be led by a school, for instance, a library or a local TAFE or university campus that works with local community and business groups to help host science activities throughout the year.

We want everyone, but especially young people, to have their curiosity for science lit up and stimulated, to see it as a path to a potentially rewarding and exciting life. Then, perhaps, one day in the future, we might be talking about some of those wonder-filled young kids as brilliant Australian success stories. Small grants are also available for projects during National Science Week. These are the local community events which, from a very modest investment, can result in a very successful and memorable science experience.

This is a government that is committed to advancing science for the benefit of the state, not only during National Science Week, but throughout the year. For example, the state government is throwing its support behind initiatives such as the $825,000 Venture Catalyst program in collaboration with the University of South Australia. The Venture Catalyst provides up to $50,000 for student-led ideas to help them commercialise a product or a service that has strong market potential.

We have established the South Australian Science Council to provide high-level independent advice to me as Minister for Science and Information Economy on things like science policy issues, particularly those policy areas that align very closely with our key state strategic priorities. The council is chaired by Dr Leanna Read. As you would be well aware, she is Chief Scientist for South Australia. She is a terrific chair and an incredibly successful scientist in her own right, and she is doing a marvellous job in terms of chairing the council.

The membership has been refocused and tightened, with members selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge of industry interactions with scientific activity, particularly in the area of research commercialisation, development of science technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, strategic communications and the ability to approach problems from novel cross-disciplinary directions and understand the importance of science excellence.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Science Council, and let me assure you, members, they are an incredibly impressive group of people who are very dedicated to these pursuits. The council committee is continuing to refine its priorities and work towards a strategic vision for science and research in South Australia and has decided to focus on the key areas of industry interactions, with scientific activity and research commercialisation, the development of STEM skills, strategic communications about the importance of science and research, further developing strategies around developing centres of research excellence, and an independent review of the South Australian government investing in science action plans. As you can see, Mr President, the state government is very committed to supporting science and it is receiving some fabulous leadership from our council.

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