Science left to count cost

The other crisis, that young Australians are turning off science in droves, is not a consequence of problems in education alone: its causes include the fact that scientific institutions, impelled by political pressure to commercialise, are putting young researchers on short-term contracts. Study for seven or more years, work as a scientist for two, and end up driving a taxi: whose idea is that of a career in science? Science is telling them they are not wanted.

It is high time Australia dispensed with knee-jerk science policy and funding based on whatever is hot or cold politically at the time of the budget. Rather, we should:

• place core federal science funding on a predictable 10-year basis;
• remove the requirement for research funding to be linked to commercialisation;
• replace the funding and infrastructure eroded in the past 10 to 20 years;
• set public science appropriation as a percentage of GDP, with the percentage share rising over time;
• mandate an end to science job insecurity and short-term contracts; and
• commit to keeping public science independent of political influence.

Alas, in an election year Australian politicians will have other things on their minds, even if the future is on their lips.