Australian voters may have opted for the status quo in last week's elections, but their country's science policy could be on the verge of major changes.
The hard-fought campaign, which ended with Prime Minister John Howard's ruling Liberal-National coalition winning a narrow majority over the Labour party, featured promises from both sides to invigorate the country's sluggish R&D efforts through increased funding and tax incentives. The scientific community will have a chance to offer its advice to the government at a national innovation summit early next year.
"Things are not working," says Peter Cullen, president of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies, who welcomes the summit. "This is an opportunity to take stock." Adds Vicki Sara, chair of the Australian Research Council, "The government has missed the boat" on what's needed to turn research into new products. "We need to create a seamless web of activity between all the players."
