Premier names 12-member Science and Innovation Council

Premier Alan Carpenter has named 12 members of the State's new Science and Innovation Council, which he says will play a major role in positioning science and innovation as one of the key drivers of the State's economy.

The full text of an announcement from the Premier's office is pasted below

The new Science and Innovation Council has been announced today by Premier and Science and Innovation Minister Alan Carpenter.

Mr Carpenter said the council, to be chaired by Western Australia's Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley, would play a major role in positioning science and innovation as one of the key drivers of the State's economy.

"Science, innovation, technology - these are the areas that improve our quality of life and provide real solutions to issues facing our community," he said.

"From curing debilitating diseases or tackling climate change to increasing the productivity of our industry, the areas of science and innovation are where the answers come from.

"Developing our potential in these areas will build on WA's economic growth, providing benefits well into the future."

The Premier said the State Government had already made significant investments in science and innovation, committing $100 million through its InnovateWA program to major research facilities and science initiatives.

"We provided a further $72 million in the last State Government budget for science and innovation and only last month announced that $9.95 million of this funding would establish world class clinical trial facilities at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital," he said.

Mr Carpenter said the council brought together 12 eminent professionals across a broad range of sectors including health, resources, environment, biology and education.

"The breadth of experience on the council is testament to WA's strong science and innovation background," he said.

"The creation of the council will increase the profile and recognition of the contribution of science and innovation to WA.

"The council will also be the Government's key advisory body on the strategic direction of science initiatives for the State to ensure maximum benefits to the WA community and industry."

Professor Beazley said WA was a bright and innovative State, which already had well-established skills and experience in science and innovation.

"This council is made up of some of WA's leaders of research and industry, who are well placed to advise on how to move science and innovation forward," the Professor said.

Members of the new Premier's Science and Innovation Council include:

• Professor Lyn Beazley, Chief Scientist
• Professor Ian Constable, Lions Eye Institute
• Professor Alan Robson, Vice Chancellor at The University of Western Australia
• Dr Debby Cousins, Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Disease
• Dr Pam Garnett, St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
• Professor Beverley Ronalds, CSIRO Petroleum
• Professor Peter Newman, Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy
• Professor Richard Pashley, ARC Professorial Fellow at Murdoch University
• Mr Mark Woffenden, Parker CRC for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions
• Dr Roy Green, chair of the WA Government Taskforce for Greenhouse Energy
• Professor Julian Gale, Nanochemistry Research Institute, Department of Applied Chemistry, Curtin University of Technology
• Dr Bernard Bowen, chairman of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution.

The Premier expressed his gratitude to the members of the original Western Australian Science Council, which played a vital role in the development and promotion of science in WA.