Science Meets Parliament (SMP) - Another View
Gina Newton
I attended my first SMP this year on November 13 (also my
birthday!). SMP is an initiative of FASTS, the Federation of Australian
Science and Technology Societies which represents over 60,000 scientists from
60 societies. It is an event where scientists from all over Australia have the
opportunity to meet with politicians and discuss science related issues. 2002
is the fourth time the Science Meets Parliament event has taken place. It has
achieved great support from both politicians and scientists alike. This year
some 130 politicians and about 165 scientists took part in the event.
Prior to the actual day on the Hill, the afternoon of the 12th was spent in a
valuable briefing session at the National Press Club. The afternoon began with
an enjoyable lunch followed by a speech by Dr Keith Williams, formerly
Professor of Biology at Macquarie University and investigator of slime moulds.
Keith is now CEO of Proteome Systems, a Sydney based company that has built
world leadership in the field of protein structure research and employs around
110 staff (including 40 PhDs). Dr Williams and his team have pioneered a new
approach to establishing the link between genes, proteins and disease, which
has major implications for the design of new drugs – a great success story to
inspire more scientist entrepreneurs, which is what Australia needs!
Unfortunately, despite a great record in scientific achievement, Australia’s
record of commercialising scientific discoveries is less than ordinary.
Following this inspiring introduction, the afternoon revolved around tips and
traps for the bridge-building exercise between the scientists and the polys.
We heard from Ministers advisers and Whips, and even from several of the
horse’s mouths, including a heated panel discussion, Chaired by the Sydney
Morning Herald’s Margo Kingston, between the Lib’s John Lawrence, Labour’s Kim
Carr and the Democrats’ Natasha Stott- Despoja. Without sounding biased, I
would have to say that Natasha was the shining light of the trio – and the
most articulate and knowledgeable! We also heard from the eminent heights of
Sir Robert May, President of the Royal Society, and our own Chief Scientist,
Dr Robin Batterham. Out of the afternoon’s exchanges, the most prominent
advice for scientists partaking in SMP appears to be: research your MP and
have some idea of their pet interests and topics (ie. visit their website
beforehand); be on time; be clearly focused about the issues you wish to
discuss; try to link the issues to the MP’s electorate if possible; deal with
tangibles if possible (eg. number of maths teachers versus schools in their
electorate); also presenting a national picture is good (eg. a Senator will
have a broader brush); be aware of what government is already doing regarding
your issue; leave some printed matter behind or a written summary of your
issue with facts and figures. Another good strategy is to get the ‘Opposition’
interested in asking a question in Parliament (therefore, also being aware of
parliamentary processes is very useful).
FASTS had conducted a survey of the politicians prior to the event. The 130
Parliamentarians registered for SMP voted on 20 discussion topics. The top
five scoring issues were: water quality and salinity (37 votes); energy
sources for the future (26); education and training (26); commercialisation,
innovation and industry research (24); and climate, climate change and
greenhouse 23). Issues of particular relevance to marine science rated as
follows: environment and biodiversity (9th, 18 votes); sustainability and the
triple bottom line (10th, 17); oceans and the Great Barrier Reef (19th, 10);
and feral animals, noxious weeds and quarantine 20th, 9). FASTS encouraged the
scientists to also promote (where possible) three key issues which were
well-covered in an informative brochure to leave with the Parliamentarians.
The three key issues were:1) turning business R&D around – 100 new postdocs
for industry; 2) securing our children’s future – reduce HECS for science and
mathematics teachers; and 3) reverse chronic university under-funding – invest
in higher education.
On the day of the event, following an early breakfast and pep-talk at Old
Parliament House, most scientists got to see at least two politicians
throughout the day spent on the Hill at New Parliament House. We also had some
interesting interludes, with talks by Opposition leader Simon Crean (an
ex-Science Minister and surprisingly impressive) and current Science Minister
Peter McGauran (not so impressive, and very dependent upon his Whip). There
was also an encouraging panel session of young scientists who spoke of their
experiences as a young scientist in Australia today. It was heartening to hear
that although most expected to have to take their talents overseas, the
majority were determined to return.
I had two very worthwhile encounters with MPs. Early in the day, both Maria
Byrne (immediate Past President, AMSA) and I met with the Shadow Minister for
the Environment, Kelvin Thomson. Minister Thomson holds the electorate of
Wills in Victoria (Coburg, Pascoe Vale, etc.). In his First Speech to
Parliament (1996) Minister Thomson indicated his desire and commitment to
working on the environment, and in fact stated that an interest in environment
protection was his main reason for becoming a politician. The fact that his
office coffee table was strewn with World Wildlife Fund, Habitat, and other
environmental magazines was certainly testament to his genuine interest.
The Shadow Minister for the Environment was very interested to hear about the
issues surrounding Australia’s ratification of its Exclusive Economic Zone,
the implementation of Oceans Policy, and the status of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority’s Representative Areas Program (RAP). In fact he
specifically asked about the latter two topics. Lucky for AMSA, Maria Byrne
sits on the National Oceans Advisory Group and is aware of the situation
regarding Ocean’s Policy; Maria had also just come from the annual Coral Reef
Society meeting in Townsville where the GBR RAP was a hotly discussed topic.
Thus AMSA was able to address the Minister’s questions with the latest
information. Minister Thomson was also very interested to learn of the serious
position Australia is in regarding the lack of nationally consistent,
standardised environmental and natural resource data with which to underpin
decision-making, planning and environmental reporting. After a stimulating and
involved discussion, it was heartening to have the Minister request follow-up
information on all the issues discussed and to keep him informed of further
developments and important marine science issues.
Later in the day I met with the Interim Deputy Leader of the Democrats, Lyn
Allison, Senator for Victoria. Senator Allison comes form a teaching
background, so is keen to ‘improve the lot of our education system’. She is
also very committed to social justice issues, particularly in regional
Australia. Senator Allison is particularly interested in the environmental
damage that has been wrought on Australia. Originally a Councillor in Port
Melbourne in the early 1990’s, she is keenly aware of the effects of coastal
developments. In her First Speech (1996) she stated that “the reluctance to
protect the marine environment means the waters in our bays and ports are
being strangled by weeds and pests introduced in ballast water…… Whilst
reports fill the shelves, more and more marine rabbits enter our waterways,
finding environment in which they can thrive”. [Let’s hope they don’t find a
marine version of the Calicivirus!!]. She has also recently been involved with
a high-level Parliamentary Committee on Water. Like Minister Thomson, Senator
Allison was very interested to hear of the fundamental issue of inconsistent
national environmental data across jurisdictions, and also requested follow-up
information and further contact with AMSA.
Overall, the Science Meets Parliament (SMP) event is an excellent initiative
and FASTS is to be congratulated on its success. SMP also provides a unique
opportunity for scientists and Parliamentarians, not only to engage in
dialogue, but also to forge fruitful, and perhaps long-term, relationships.
There is nothing else quite like SMP. In fact, from the praise Sir Robert May
was espousing about it, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the event take off up
over!
Dr Gina Newton is Vice President of the Australian Marine Sciences
Association (AMSA), and the new Public Officer for WISENET.