Where is the Ministry for Science?

[i-need-a-martini]

What about Innovation? Research? Ageing?

Or even Tourism?

And how come Arts gets lumbered in with the Attorney Generals busy portfolio?

Yet Border Protection gets it's own ministry rather than falling under the obvious category of Defence. An entire ministry for a handful of people that apparently aren't going to be coming here anymore?

[master*and*commander]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

That's all we need - someone who thinks short term.

It's a bit like saying, education is really important but we don't need education reform right now because it costs too much money to educate our kids so we will wait until we can afford to do it.

Oh, I forget, that IS what he is saying about education...

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That wasn't entirely what I meant.

I was meaning that he was thinking long term, and in the short term, this meant that he feels he can concentrate his energy and resources to other areas in greater and more prominent need at the moment.

Are they saying that about education reform? My understanding was that Labor's policy resulting from Gonski had been implemented but that no real effects would be evidenced until 2018. Funding these long term committments in their development costs covert money. Liberal will be spending money on that.

That has me wondering if this was a deliberate move from Labor. Why haven't they implemented anything that will be effective immediately? They had 6 or 7 years to do so, didn't they? Why did they wait until the last minute?

[master*and*commander]

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@am*3 wrote:

meep or anyone else - What reasons do you think made Tony A decide not to have a seperate Ministry of Science for the first time in 82years?

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I cannot read another person's mind, I can only be guided by what they say and'or how they act.

I have already given a possible reason though, but I have no way of knowing of they are correct.

[**meep**]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

That's all we need - someone who thinks short term.

It's a bit like saying, education is really important but we don't need education reform right now because it costs too much money to educate our kids so we will wait until we can afford to do it.

Oh, I forget, that IS what he is saying about education...

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Is he?

what did he mean when he said Kevin Rudd and he were on a "unity ticket" on the issue of school funding?

[master*and*commander]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

His explanation?

His explanation is that it will be part of Ministry of Industry. Effectively that reduces science to a manufacturing activity or one that supplies goods and services. It also means that the portfolio is at the whim of industry insiders and lobbyists.

But our most profound scientific discoveries occur before they get to industry stage.

So that means there is no foicus on research (except within the industry portfolio which has ethical implications) and there is no focus on creating new knowledge (excpet within the industry portfolio which again has ethical implications).

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I am not in a position to even fathom the decision making processes to run a country, but as I said, perhaps this is only a short term thing until other things are done first.

He can't fix or improve or sustain everything at once, some things have to be given priority. I think of it a little bit like those circus performers who spin plates on sticks. They give their full attention to one plate, and once it appears to be spinning well, the spinner then diverts his attention to the next plate to get it going, but still does keep an eye on the other plates to make sure they stay on track, and ready to step in when they need it.

So far, there appears to be no focus on research NOW - in this moment. Perhaps there is already significant funding being spent FOR NOW. perhaps funding for research is being privatised for now, letting those who have the money pay for it.

People will always research, that's how universities sustain themselves.

All I am saying is that do we know if this is a long term vision?

It might just be a short term solution which can be reversed in the future.

If he's going to stop the boats (or try to) the money has to come from somewhere, and I believe that this is one of his focuses at the moment, and it was publicied before his party was elected, so it seems that the majority of voters belive this to be important.

He didn't win this election by promising science funding. It seems to me that now people are complaining about how he is going to attempt to do the job that he has promised to do.

The money has to come from somewhere and I am hoping that he doesn't raise it by borrowing emore moeny before we repay what we have already borrowed to fund the promises already in force.

[master*and*commander]

Oh and I find it rather amusing that you have a group called The Chamber of Secrets and then the comments in this thread and the thread title. I know that wasn't your intention, but for me it was amusing.

[**meep**]

Interesting article:

Dr Moodie said Labor's policy was preoccupied with university research.

"Most innovations do not come from university research," he said. "An innovation policy should concentrate on stimulating innovation in business and other sites of production, such as health and public administration."

The Australian Technology Network of Universities said just 3 per cent of "innovation active companies" went to universities for ideas or inspiration.

"Yet nearly 60 per cent of Australia's researchers reside within an Australian university," executive director Vicki Thomson said.

"This imbalance must be redressed."

Former innovation reviewer Terry Cutler said Labor's policy was focused on "inputs" rather than outputs. "There's this whole mindset in Canberra that research and development is a good thing," Dr Cutler said. "Therefore more research and development is a better thing, rather than what we do with it.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/research-funding-off-agenda/story-e6frgcjx-12267100...

[***super_nova***]

This says it all:

[i-need-a-martini]

Blimey that is scary supernova.

[i-need-a-martini]

Ministry for ANZAC Day? You serious??

[master*and*commander]

I was exp[ecting there to be a minister for religion or something similar, I have to admit that.

It is my perception that Tony has strong religious beliefs and does try to "share" those beliefs with the nation and was a firm supporter of the Chaplaincy Program in schools.