PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 4 MARCH 1987
The Prime Minister announced today the appointment of two new
members of tho Australian Science and Technology Council ( ASTEC)
and the reappointmeint of two members.
The two new members are Professor James McCleod, Professor of
Medicine at the University of Sydney, and Dr Alessandra Pucci,
Managing Director of the biotechnology company Australian
Monoclonal Development. Professor McCleod has been the Bushell
Professor of Neurology since 1978 and a member of the Board of
Royal North Shore Hospital since 1980. Dr Pucci was the
Bulletin/ Qantus Businesswoman of the Year in 1986.
Both appointments are for three years; Professor McCleod's
appointment conmenced on 28 February 1987 and Dr Pucci's
appointment will commence on 1 June 1987, after she returns from
overseas. The two reappointments are Dr Don Watts, Vice-Chancellor of the
Curtin University of Technology, and Dr Peter Jones, Managing
Director of -ochway Pty Ltd. Both reappointments are for a second
term of three years.
ASTEC is a statutory body which reports directly to the Prime
Minister on natters of science and technology policy. Recent
reports by ASTEC include reviews of CSIRO and the Defence Science
and Technology Organisation. ASTEC's latest report, entitled
" Improving the Research Performance of Australia's Universities
and Other Higher Education Institutions", is expected to be
tabled in the Parliament shortly.