Science Meets Parliament
Anna Robinson
On
Tuesday and Wednesday, 21 and 22 August, Carolann Wolfgang and I attended
Science Meets Parliament Day in Canberra, on behalf of WISENET. I would like
to thank Toss Gascoigne, Executive Officer of FASTS, for an extremely
successful event. I circulated an informal, anecdotal summary email earlier.
The following is a more comprehensive report.
The first day's briefing was at the National Press Club. At registration, we
were presented with a folder containing an outline of the day's activities, a
booklet of participants' biographies, and some handouts that contained very
relevant and comprehensive information - please let me know if anyone would
like copies of any of the documents1-5.
Presentation Summeraries
Craig Cormick of Biotech Australia talked on statistics, how they are
gathered, how they are interpreted - including some myths. Salient points:
people obtain information about science and technology primarily from the
media. However, they are also looking for new forms of information from the
internet, libraries, and science magazines. Scientific issues of greatest
concern are human tampering, pesticide use, food poisoning - more so than
genetically modified foods specifically. Of the latter, gender was identified
as the largest discriminator with women (21-39 year age group, child bearing)
being more concerned than men as to whether risks outweigh the benefits and
effects. In terms of trust, the public had greatest confidence in
CSIRO/University scientists (85 and 82% respectively), farmers 61% and
government officers least (Federal Government 29%, State Government 27%). It
looks like scientists have a good image but the public wants more information,
consultation, regulation, consumer choice and consumer benefits before genetic
engineering will be more accepted in the community.
National Press Club Luncheon with televised address by Peter Wills (Chair, ARC). Very commercially oriented talk - scientists are expected to understand the meaning of the word 'dollar' from now on. And still do outstanding science. And understand marketing and commercialisation and patent law as well. And network and … The clear message to scientists was learn to sell your science. It will no longer be treated as only an academic pursuit.
Margo Kingston (MK), the Political Correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald chaired a panel discussion with Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (NS), Mr Martyn Evans (ME) MP and Government spokesperson, Grant Chapman (GC). The discussion became a bit party political but remained financially oriented. MK raised the issue of Robin Batterham's "scientists had to learn to use a balance sheet" comment. Is there too much weight on scientists? NS "search for truth rather than funds; remove disincentives; withdraw HECS from science as apart from engineering, law etc, what about salary supplementation, and welcoming science into the political agenda; elevate the portfolio". ME "scientist's have a bad image - no porsches in the back yard!; insufficient teaching, not enough students qualified in maths and science the real problem; do we need a sea change in the way we do science? And put some money back into teaching; look at MIT - need to keep science on the front foot; public has opposed every major advance - chlorination, fluoridation, vaccination - value of science clear". GK "Scientists need to distinguish between pure and applied science and business/job creation outcomes. Need to improve science's communication, too much misinformation. We need increased funding…." the last comment being agreed on by all. In concluding, MK restricted questions to women scientists, two asked about entrenched education issues that invited political rhetoric in response. It made me realise that we need to learn this political language to impress.
Peter Cullen (President of FASTS) said he wanted to maintain science as a key issue during the election. The politicians are listening and looking for smart ideas to get re-elected. Re-election for politicians was dependent on what goes on in their own electorates.
Issues
more cash? What drives it, what does it deliver
science underpins the new economy which underpins the entire future of this country
Governments need to invest in specific things: provide answers not problems.
Know your MP - make sure they know where to find
scientific advice; tell stories; invite them over; find out what science
interests them; what is useful to them in terms of the election.
We were presented with the FASTS document "Four big issues before Australia"
Education - at school, in industry and in the general population. Lift the level of employment of science graduates in business; help change the culture
Higher education. Are standards falling?
Initiatives within Government. Appoint scientists
to Parliament as interns?
Concluding statement
This Liberal Government released its first set of policies under the title
Backing Australia's Ability. Coming out of the Innovation Summit and the
review by the Chief Scientist, this provided a number of policies to encourage
basic research. Backing Australia's Ability was widely supported by FASTS when
it was released.
Important elements are:
enhancement of the CRC program · new places to support innovation in science and technology offered on a competitive basis to Universities
support for new Centres of Excellent in biotechnology and information technology
some changes to tax concessions for R & D.
The Labor Party has released Knowledge Nation, endorsed by many as an exciting
broad-brush vision for Australia. Labor now has to identify the investment
policies that will achieve the Knowledge Nation. Australia has the capacity to
be an international leader in the new economy; and the challenge for us as a
country is to be smart enough to realise this potential.
The view for the Department, Ms Patricia Scott, Economist and Deputy Secretary, Department of Industry and Scientific Resources: talked about policy trade-offs that involve exchanging one parcel of money for another; that science and innovations are NOT at the top of political priorities. Scientists need to seek support of other stakeholders and community groups, need to be aware of current ideas that can be captured - show what has worked overseas, or cost-effective solutions, successful models. Be aware of how to brief the Departmental heads so they can brief the Minister. Ideas filtered through FASTS or the Academy of Science signifies their support. Before talking to government representatives be aware:
Are there clear market possibilities? Is there a role for the private sector?
Should government fund the proposal? Is it a Federal or States issue?
Are there already existing government measures? (...tricky, this one! Often there are, we just don't know about them. AR Ed. )
What is the net impact on a budget? · Should it be
now or later? · What does the model say?
(I felt exhausted after this talk. I find being a scientist is pretty
much a full time life experience let alone job. How we are to fit in all
this additional research feels daunting! Ed.)
Communicating with Parliamentarians - the view of the staffer with Kieran
Schneemann, Chief of Staff to Senator Nick Minchin, Sean Battern, Chief of
Staff to Michael Lee, MP as well as Robbie Swann, putting the case of how an
atypical industry successfully lobbies Parliament to get results! Main points:
Prepare well
Talk to advisers first and be aware of protocols
Provide a summary (A4 page) of your presentation, if possible, find out what appeals to the politician first and draft accordingly
Quantify - state the value of your representation.
In conclusion, follow up with a letter of thanks, create an opportunity for follow-up invitations; try to establish a relationship beyond the meeting.
Next day, I met Michelle O'Byrne, Labour MP for Bass in Tasmania - my partner
for the meeting (determined by FASTS) was Chris Harwood, CSIRO Forest
Products. The meeting was direct but informal. We had general discussions
about women's under-representation in scientific areas (in particular the
upper echelons) and Michelle suggested I meet with Joan Kirner to discuss this
further. Michelle also gave me some more contacts for WISENET. I invited
Michelle to visit some WISENET members at their research posts. Chris Harwood
also extended the invitation for her to visit CSIRO which Michelle responded
to positively as forestry issues were of importance to her electorate. She
suggested she could make visits to more general areas of scientific research
after the election.
We were also addressed by Kim Beazley, Vicki Sara and Nick Minchin, and
Margaret Reid at various times. Other politicians mingled during drinks on
Saturday evening - the event was well supported by politicians and was clearly
high on their agenda.
Most of us work in an environment that is government funded in some way or
other. To be able to discuss our point of view with politicians after the
excellent preparatory sessions organised by FASTS was quite an experience.
There was a broad spectrum of representation: heads of departments through to
students; practising as well as academic scientists; and those from the
peripheral organisations such as representative societies, associations and,
of course, networks.
Key points:
Australian scientists are held in high regard and have great credibility
Science is on the political agenda - people want to know
While we are being expected to explain and account
for who and what we are as well as how much we spend, Kim Beazley and Nick
Minchin showed great respect in their addresses to the group for both numbers
and standard of attendees. (I must mention that most of the scientific
community was very well dressed and, in that image-conscious environment, the
showing made quite an impact.)
It was a pleasure to be at Science meets Parliament Day representing WISENET.
Our Parliament House is a very beautiful and impressive building and being
there with such a sense of purpose was an extraordinary experience. The
message from the politicians? It is time for scientists to move to more
specific and tangible policies that can be brought to the political agenda -
if we want change, we must be prepared to participate in politics and clearly
communicate our vision.
Publications:
Australian Science: An investment for the 21st Century, FASTS (2001)
Four big issues before Australia, FASTS (2001)
Your Key to the House, a Guide to your House of Representatives, Department of the House of Reps (1999)
Who is Studying Science? (ACDS [Australian Council of Deans of Science] Occasional Paper No 1, 1999)
A New Economic Paradigm? Innovation-based Evolutionary Systems, Dept of Industry, Science and Resources Science and Technology Policy Branch (1998-1999)