P R I M E  M I N I S T E R

FOR MEDIA 7 May 1985

The Government has commissioned a major review of research '   and development (R&D) in Australia, initially focusing on  CSIRO, the nation's largest research organisation.

The review will examine the rationale and appropriate  objectives for government R&D, and the implications of  these for government policies and CSIRO.

The review will be conducted by the Australian Science and  Technology Council (ASTEC) under the direction of its ~   Chairman, Professor Ralph Slatyer.

The aim will be to complete that part of the review concerned  with CSIRO by September this year, when the Chairman of CSIRO,  Dr Paul Wild, has indicated he will step down after completing  his seven year term. .-^ Ã¢ÂÂ

Federal Government expenditure on R&D in 1984-85 willv  .   be about $1400 million,, about a quarter of which will go to  CSIRO. .  . .

Other major "Commonwealth research institutions are the Defence  Science and Technology Organisation, the Australian Atomic 1   Energy Commission, the Antarctic Division and the Bureau  of Mineral Resources.,

The CSIRO has an impressive international reputation.

Its staff have made major contributions to industry, particularly  the agricultural and mining industries, and to the Australian  community in such areas as environmental protection and public  health. . . .

The Organisation has'also made substantial changes to its  structure and policies in recent years to give greater  emphasis to manufacturing industry.

These changes include the establishment of new Divisions of  Manufacturing Technology and Information -Technology and a  new company, SIROTECH, to market its research findings.

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Despite the changes, there has been growing questioning in  recent years of CSIRO's role in relation to the needs of the  Australian community and industries, particularly the  manufacturing sector.

The role of government-funded research organisations has also  been questioned recently in other countries.

It is now eight years since the Birch Inquiry into CSIRO, and I  believe it is now appropriate to look again at the Organisation's  structure and role, to ensure its continued contribution to the  affairs of this country.

However I would stress the review is not intended to diminish the  momentum of the current initiatives of its Executive, including  the overhaul of its corporate strategy and planning, its  research, commercial, communication and administrative

activities.

The terms of reference for the review are attached.

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ATTACHMENT A

REVIEW OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN  AUSTRALIA .  Â·

TERMS OF REFERENCE

RECOGNISING the role of research and development in

.  providing for community needs; and

.  developing internationally competitive industry

from the substantial public investment in research and

development in tertiary institutions, research agencies

and industry

AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the views of the Australian

community, educational institutions, relevant

government agencies and industry

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TO REPORT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON;Â­ . “7 , “ ,  _  '

(1) The rationale and appropriate economic, social *Â·.. Â·  *. 'f.' iC .  Ã¢ÂÂ   .

and'cultural objectives - both long,and short -  Â·- . ;Â· ’ Â·

term - of government funding and performance

of research and development in Australia;

(2) The implications of this for government

policies and for the Commonwealth Scientific

and Industrial Research Organisation; and

(3) The implications for other publicly funded

research institutions.

