New government needs to make progress on innovation and STEM Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced his new ministry yesterday and Engineers Australia has said it is looking forward to assisting the Government with the implementation of its bold innovation agenda.

“The Prime Minister has made innovation — including having a far stronger focus on encouraging more young Australians to study STEM subjects — one of his signature policies, releasing a new National Innovation and Science Agenda in December last year,” said Engineers Australia Chief Executive Officer Stephen Durkin.

“Now the Government has been returned, tangible progress is needed in what is a vitally important policy area, notably for a fast-growing services sector, such as the engineering profession. The more students who study STEM subjects, the more employment opportunities there will be for them as the Australian economy continues to transition.”

The biggest changes of note in the ministry are Christopher Pyne moving from Industry, Innovation and Science to Defence Industry; Greg Hunt moving from Environment to Industry, Innovation and Science; Josh Frydenberg's portfolio of Resources and Energy becoming Environment and Energy; Matt Canavan's portfolio of Northern Australia becoming Resources and northern Australia; while Paul Fletcher becomes Minister for Urban Infrastructure.

Darren Chester remains Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Marise Payne remains Minister for Defence. And Mitch Fifield remains Minister for Communications. Craig Laundy replaces Karen Andrews as Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science while Andrews takes on the role of Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills.

The Prime Minister said Christopher Pyne will be responsible for overseeing the new Defence Industry Plan that came out of the Defence White Paper.

"This includes the most significant naval shipbuilding program since the Second World War," he said.

"This is a key national economic development role. This program is vitally important for the future of Australian industry and especially advanced manufacturing."

Mr Turnbull said Greg Hunt has a keen understanding of innovation, science and technology and will give new leadership to that portfolio while the rationale behind combining energy and environment revolved around renewable energy targets, clean energy development and financing and emission reduction mechanisms being key parts of both portfolios.

Stephen Durkin said Engineers Australia is keen to see the new Government progress its plans for defence and infrastructure.

"Engineers will play an integral part in helping to ensure the Government’s significant investment in defence is a success,” he said.

“Infrastructure planning remains a policy priority because no matter how finely balanced the Parliament is, there must be a long-term view taken on major infrastructure projects.”

[The Prime Minister announcing his new Ministry. Photo: Twitter/@TurnbullMalcolm]

Defence and infrastructure will both be major topics of discussion at the Australian Engineering Conference 2016 in Brisbane on November 23-25.