Morgan to head science advisory board

Minister for Science and Innovation Troy Buswell has announced Perth investor and entrepreneur Charles Morgan will be the inaugural chair of the Council for Science and Innovation.

Speaking at the Western Australian Science Awards today, Mr Buswell said the new council was an amalgamation of the Premier's Science and Innovation Council and the Technology and Industry Advisory Council.

He said the new council would guide the government through its interactions with the science and innovation sector.

"It will provide advice to government and work with government to develop that long-term vision for science and innovation in Western Australia,' Mr Buswell said.

"Subsequent to that, it will develop strategies by which we can go forward and achieve that vision and ultimately to work with us in government to put in place the framework, the structures and to drive those framework and structures, moving forward, to deliver those strategies."

Mr Buswell said the council would also have an additional role; to ensure that society in Western Australia was engaged with sciences, and to foster young people pursuing science as a career.

To progress the implementation of the council, Mr Buswell said an interim board, chaired by Mr Morgan, would be appointed.

Other board members are 2007 young scientist of the year Kristen Nowak, former deputy premier and Technology Park pioneer Mal Bryce, minerals and petroleum expert Erica Smyth, Chevron general manager Greater Gorgon Area Colin Beckett, and CSIRO chief executive Megan Clark.

"I hope that you will agree that that board is made up of people from different backgrounds, people of extremely high calibre who will bring a range of unique skills and unique perspectives to bear to the challenges that sit ahead of us," Mr Buswell said.

The role of the chief scientist of Western Australia, Professor Lyn Beazley, would not change under the new council, and the role was "strongly endorsed" by the government and the science community in WA, Mr Buswell said.

Mr Buswell's statement follows:

New council for Science and Innovation.

Science and Innovation Minister Troy Buswell today announced the creation of an independent council to advise the State Government on science, innovation and technology.

The Council for Science and Innovation, which will be operational by mid-2010, amalgamates the WA Science and Innovation Council (formerly the Premier's Science and Innovation Council) and the Technology and Industry Advisory Council.

"The new council will more closely align innovation with enterprise so the sector can better leverage the rich commercial opportunities in Western Australia and the region," Mr Buswell said.

"We want to create conditions to ensure that a steady pipeline of work follows the exciting developments already occurring in WA in areas such as radio astronomy and health science."

The Minister said the council would draw together commercial and academic expertise to develop polices for innovation, technology and science which reflected Western Australia's particular opportunities and challenges.

"The Council for Science and Innovation will be responsible for both the big picture strategy for science and innovation in WA and also for creating tailored business plans for the individual industry and government sectors," he said.

"We want the work of the council, the Chief Scientist and the Department of Commerce to create more opportunities to connect industry with research."

An interim advisory board tasked with the council's creation by mid-2010 will be chaired by resources and technology expert Charlie Morgan.

The interim board would include Chevron Australia's general manager Colin Beckett, Dr Mal Bryce AO, Dr Kristen Nowak and Dr Erica Smyth.