Office of the Chief Scientist (Australia) explained

The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is part of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Its primary responsibilities are to enable growth and productivity for globally competitive industries. To help realise this vision, the department has four key objectives: supporting science and commercialisation, growing business investment and improving business capability, streamlining regulation and building a high performance organisation.

Chief Scientist

The Chief Scientist is responsible for advising the Government of Australia on scientific and technological issues.

The Chief Scientist chairs the Research Quality Framework Development Advisory Group,^[1] the National Research Priorities Standing Committee^[2] and is a member of other key Government committees:^[3]

• Coordination Committee on Science and Technology
• Prime Minister's Science Prizes Committee
• Cooperative Research Centres Committee
• Publicly Funded Research Agencies Committee
• Commonwealth, State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation
• National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy Committee^[4]

Chief Scientists

• 1989–1992: Ralph Slatyer^[5]
• 1992–1996 : Michael Pitman^{[6] [7]}
• 1996–1999: John Stocker, part-time^{[8] [9]}
• 1999–2005 : Robin Batterham, part-time^{[8] [10] [11]}
• 2006–2008: Jim Peacock, part-time^[12]
• 2008–2011: Penny Sackett, full-time^[13]
• 2011–2016: Ian Chubb^[14]
• 2016–2020: Alan Finkel^[15]
• 2021–present: Cathy Foley^[16]

National Science and Technology Council

The National Science and Technology Council is responsible for providing advice to the Prime Minister and other Ministers on important science and technology issues facing Australia.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, announced the new Council on 28 November 2018^[17]

The council is Chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology as deputy chair. Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, is the Executive Officer.

History of Australian science councils

• Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council (1977–1997)
• Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (1997–2013)^[18]
• Commonwealth Science Council (2014–2018)^[19]
• National Science and Technology Council (2018–present) ^[20]

See also

• Backing Australia's Ability

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Hon Julie Bishop MP - Media Centre . 30 January 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070203094246/http://www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Bishop/2006/03/B001280306.asp . 3 February 2007 .
2. Web site: National Research Priorities Standing Committee . 31 January 2007 . 7 February 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070207034101/http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/policies_issues_reviews/key_issues/national_research_priorities/national_research_priorities_standing_committee.htm . dead .
3. Web site: Ongoing activities and role of the Chief Scientist . 31 January 2007 . 6 February 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070206062018/http://www.chiefscientist.dest.gov.au/Ongoing_activities_role.htm . dead .
4. http://ncris.innovation.gov.au/DEVELOPMENT/Pages/Committee.aspx Committee
5. Web site: Assessment Panel for Co-operative Multi-Media Centres . . 2007-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060903044556/http://www.nla.gov.au/oz/gov/press/attach.html . 3 September 2006.
6. Web site: Pitman, Michael George (1933–2000) . Bright Sparcs Biographical entry . 14 September 2006 . 2010-02-07 .
7. Web site: Michael George Pitman 1933–2000 . Australian Academy of Science Biographical memoirs . 2002 . 2010-02-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080718201625/http://www.science.org.au/academy/memoirs/pitman2.htm . 18 July 2008.
8. Web site: Submission to the Inquiry into the Office of the Chief Scientist . . W.J. Peacock . 4 June 2004 . RTF . 2010-02-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080725184432/http://science.org.au/natcoms/chiefscientist.rtf . 25 July 2008.
9. Web site: CSIRO welcomes Chief Scientist . 22 November 1996 . 2010-02-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110605104354/http://www.csiro.au/communication/mediarel/mr96131.htm . 5 June 2011.
10. Web site: Batterham, Robin John (1941 –) . Bright Sparcs Biographical entry . 14 September 2006 . 2010-02-07 .
11. News: Australia's Chief Scientist gives up Govt position for mining giant . Karen . Barlow . 17 May 2005 . ABC AM program . 2010-02-07 .
12. News: New chief scientist makes waves . Karen . Percy . . 1 March 2006 . 2010-02-07 .
13. News: ANU astronomer named new chief scientist. 30 September 2008. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2010-02-07.
14. News: Statement: A message from Professor Chubb. 19 January 2016. Office of the Chief Scientist. 2016-02-09.
15. News: Biography,AUSTRALIA'S CHIEF SCIENTIST. 25 January 2016. Office of the Chief Scientist. 2016-02-09.
16. News: McCulloch . Daniel . Cathy Foley appointed next chief scientist . 9 November 2020 . Canberra Times . 9 November 2020.
17. Web site: A stronger voice for Science and Technology | Prime Minister of Australia. www.pm.gov.au.
18. Web site: PMSEIC | Chief Scientist. www.chiefscientist.gov.au.
19. Web site: COMMONWEALTH SCIENCE COUNCIL: FIRST MEETING | Chief Scientist. www.chiefscientist.gov.au.
20. Web site: National Science and Technology Council . Australia's Chief Scientist. 18 June 2022.