CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms PAYNE (Canberra) (10:16): Scientists and researchers are working incredibly hard today to deliver the breakthroughs that will answer tomorrow's problems and change our world in ways that we haven't even imagined yet, and they deserve our support. My electorate of Canberra is home to the CSIRO and five university campuses—more than any other electorate in Australia.

There are so many cutting-edge technology businesses based in Canberra, too, and I'm proud to represent so many passionate scientists, researchers and innovators, and to advocate and support their critical work. Many of my constituents have contacted me over the past few months as part of the Academy of Science's campaign calling for increased investment in science and research.

This includes many scientists, who have told me about how difficult it is to secure grants these days, and how the work that goes into it used to mean that you had a much higher chance of getting one of these grants than you do today. They say that Australia now invests just 1.69 per cent of GDP in research and development, well below the OECD average of 2.7 per cent, and we now rank 40th out of 44 OECD nations for the proportion of people graduating in science, technology, engineering and maths.

These scientists, researchers and innovators are calling for more funding into science and research and less-onerous requirements for securing grants funding. Some of our brightest minds, people who have been working on breakthroughs, solving problems and building a better future for our world, are often facing insecurity in their work because of the tenuous nature of the grants they rely on to fund this work.

This insecurity means they are unsure not only of the future of their endeavours but also of their own financial security and livelihoods. I've had discussions with people in my electorate about the incredibly difficult impacts this has had on their personal lives. I recently met with the Minister For Science, Tim Ayres, and the Australian Academy of Science to discuss the future of science and research in Australia and to put the case for increased funding directly to the minister.

The Albanese Labor government has invested heavily in science and research. The most recent budget included $2 billion in additional science and research funding, meaning our government is investing more than $39 billion in research and development over the next four years. This includes an additional $387.4 billion in the CSIRO and establishment of the National Resilience and Science Council, which will ensure better coordination and alignment of public innovation investments with Australia's economic objectives.

But we can always do more, and I will continue to call for greater investment in science and research, and better grants programs for research and innovation, to restore Australian science to internationally competitive levels. Science solves the problems of tomorrow, and it is in Australia's best interests for us to attract and retain scientists and researchers to continue their critically important work.

Homegrown science is vital to our future, driving innovation, creating high-skilled jobs and strengthening our economy.