PRIME MINISTER 143/ S
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING COUNCIL MEETING
The Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council ( PMSEC) met today in
Canberra to consider the application of science and technology to managing our
oceans, and developing our plantation forests.
Today's meeting has been valuable to the Government in spelling out the major role
of science and technology in these crucial environmental and resource areas. The
reports, presentations and discussions at today's meeting have given us clear
messages about promoting and using science for sustainable development of some
of our most valuable and promising resource areas. I have asked the Ministers for
Primary Industries and Energy, Industry, Science and Technology, and the
Environment, Sport and Territories, to follow up the key issues emerging from today,
and report on how we can ensure that the best science applied to preserving and
developing the Exclusive Economic Zone and our plantation forests.'
The discussion at today's PMSEC meeting was based on papers and presentations
by independent working groups of scientists and industry leaders.
The paper " Australia's Ocean Age: Science and Technology for Managing our
Ocean Territory" focussed on how science and technology can assist in the effective
management of Australia's marine resources. Australia now has a responsibility
under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to further advance
exploration and marine research, so as to sustainably develop, preserve and protect
the marine environment.
The paper and presentation on ' Research and Development Contributing to
Plantation Forestry' examined the substantial and growing contribution which
plantation forests make to our supply of wood products, and the major value-adding
roles of research and development in improving the sustainability and yields of
plantation forests, and in the use of plantation-grown timber. The Council heard of
the close collaboration which has developed between researchers and industry,
leading to the successful application of research to the management, sustainability
and productivity of our forest plantations.
The PMSEC meeting also heard presehntations on the Government's innovation
statement released earlier this week, including the specific projects which will be
funded under the $ 62.4 million Major National Research Facilities program; Science
and Technology in APEC; and Australia's science and engineering base for
information and communications services and technologies.
I also informed the meeting today that the Chief Scientist would become a statutory
office holder within my portfolio. This will build on the current arrangements for
science and technology, and increase the already high profile given to science and
technology by the Government.
The Council ( PMSEC) was created as part of the advisory and coordination
arrangements announced in the May 1989 science and technology policy statement.
It meets twice a year, to provide a major forum for consideration of issues of national
significance in science and technology, with a particular emphasis on the application
of research to economic and social objectives. This provides an opportunity for the
Prime Minister and senior Ministers to discuss issues with leaders of science,
industry, and the major scientific institutions.
CANBERRA 8 DECEMBER, 1995
Further information:
Office of the Chief Scientist:
Dr Guy Verney
ph ( 06) 271 5209
The paper'Australia's Ocean Age: Science and Technology for Managing our Ocean
Territory' is available from:
Office of the Chief Scientist
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
or from the world wide web at:
http:// www. nla. gov. au/ pmc/ ocs/ ocean. html
or from Australian Government Publishing Service outlets.