Logan appoints new chief scientist, flags council revamp

After a seven month vacancy, the State Government has appointed neuro-scientist Lyn Beazley to the role of Chief Scientist, after geologist Bruce Hobbs resigned over a difference of opinion on Government spending.

Professor Beazley will also be made head of a new advisory body to replace the WA Science Council and the WA Technology and Industry Advisory Council.

Membership of the body would be finalised early next year.

Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said Professor Beazley's role as the chair of the advisory body would be to lead the science and innovation strategy, with a supervisory role in the allocation of $72 million science and innovation budget.

He said her ground-breaking achievements in brain development research and her good working relationship with science-related companies would help close the gap between research and commercialisation.

When he resigned the position in May this year, after three years in the job, Dr Hobbs told reporters he believed research funds should be used to support and develop mining and agriculture, instead of the Government's push to find new technologies such as information technology and biofuels.

Mr Logan refuted those statements in parliament later, saying the government made no apologies for its position, and that it would continue to focus on biotechnology, biofuels, renewable energy, information technology and the marine and defence industries.

The full text of a government announcement is pasted below

Western Australia's new Chief Scientist is neuro-scientist Professor Lyn Beazley.

Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said Professor Beazley would also chair the State Government's new science and innovation advisory body.

Mr Logan said Professor Beazley was well-placed to advise the State Government on a range of issues related to the important areas of science and innovation.

He said her ground-breaking achievements in brain development research and her good working relationship with science-related companies would help close the gap between research and commercialisation.

"The Carpenter Government has identified science and innovation as a sector that can help diversify and grow the economy," the Minister said.

"Professor Beazley's expertise and experience will ensure that we achieve this result efficiently and effectively."

Professor Beazley is the Professor of Zoology at The University of Western Australia. Her recent achievements and positions include:

• leader of the UWA's Neurotrauma Research Program;
• fellow of the Australian Institute of Biologists;
• member of the Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council;
• chair of the Gene and Related Therapies Research Advisory Panel;
• member of the College of Experts with the Australian Research Council;
• adviser to the National Science Research Council in Sweden;
• member of the education committee of the International Brain Research Organisation;
• chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Women and Infants Research Foundation; and
• trustee of the WA Museum.

After several years in Britain researching brain development, the professor transferred to Perth, where she has worked for the last 20 years.

Mr Logan said Professor Beazley's role as the chair of the advisory body would be to provide leadership and supervision of the WA Government's science and innovation vision.

The new body would effectively replace the WA Science Council and the WA Technology and Industry Advisory Council and would have a supervisory role in the allocation of $72 million dedicated to science and innovation in the last State Budget.

Membership of the body would be finalised early next year.