IN DEFENCE OF BASIC RESEARCH
IN DEFENCE OF BASIC RESEARCH
Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities annual conference
University of Tasmania
Hobart
Friday 2 September 2016
***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***
Read more
Speech to Declaration of the Victorian Senate Results
I am pleased and honoured to be returned as a Senator for Victoria, and congratulate the other senators declared elected.
Despite public opinion to the contrary, and perhaps experience, I still regard politics as a noble calling.
Since I was first elected in 1993, I have seen 155 senators come and go, four of them twice: Jacinta Collins, Louise Pratt, Don Farrell and Sandy MacDonald.
Since Federation, there have been 580 senators.
The rate of turnover has accelerated. In the last Parliament, the 44th, 45 per cent of senators had less than six years’ experience.
It is important to remember, in a country that claims not to value experience, that there is always more to learn.
As is now expected in Senate polls, there were many candidates – 116 in this state.
Read moreSPEECH TO CSIRO FORUM
SPEECH TO CSIRO FORUM
HOBART
WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016
***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s aims are set out in the Science and Industry Research Act of 1949.
Read moreSpeech to Medicines Australia dinner, Tuesday 15 March
I’ve read what you say about yourselves: Medicines Australia drives the creation and development of an environment for the continued sustainable growth of the innovative, research-based prescription medicines industry.
There’s a lot in that sentence: words like drive, creation, sustainable, innovation and research.
Whatever way you read it, your industry has a crucial place in the national innovation system.
Read moreENGINEERS AND THE SHAPE OF AUSTRALIA’S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
Thank you for inviting me to be with you tonight as you honour colleagues who have made distinguished contributions to your profession and the wider industry.
I acknowledge the President of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Mr Adrian Feeney; the Executive Director, Ms Natalie Roberts; and members of the Society’s board.
Read moreAUTO: AN INDUSTRY WITH A FUTURE
Auto: An industry with a future
australian automotive national summit
hotel realm, canberra
THURSDAY, 20 august 2015
***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***
Read moreWHAT’S MISSING IN RESEARCH POLICY
WHAT’S MISSING IN RESEARCH POLICY
SPEECH TO INNOVATIVE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES SENIOR STAFF FORUM
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***
Read more
CULTURAL DIVERSITY: AUSTRALIA’S GREAT TRIUMPH
CULTURAL DIVERSITY: AUSTRALIA’S GREAT TRIUMPH
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY, PARRAMATTA
FRIDAY, 17 JULY 2015
*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***
In politics, it is said that hope will inevitably be vanquished by fear.
However I remain an optimist.
This country is crying out for hope to triumph over fear.
Read moreA WELL-FURNISHED FUTURE
A Well-Furnished Future
Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Friday, 10 July 2015
***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***
Read moreTHE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE CONFERENCE – AUSTRALIA 2040
THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE CONFERENCE – AUSTRALIA 2040
RYDGES CAPITAL HILL, CANBERRA
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015
*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***
It’s a great pleasure to be here today to celebrate with you 25 years of the CRC program, and to talk about the future of the program and Australia’s national innovation system.
I don’t need to tell you about the achievements of the CRC program.
If you didn’t know before you came to this conference about long wear contact lenses, the 3D printed jet engine, tooth mousse or Australian innovation in monitoring the stability of a longwall mine face – you know about them now.
Read more