Science Meets Parliament

[Simon Haberle]

Dear All,

Now that AQUA is a member of the Australian Geoscience Council...a very
active group with regard to lobbying Parliamentarians...an opportunity
has presented itself to follow up on the advice given by Jim Bowler at
the last AQUA meeting to present the value of our work to people in
national decision making positions.

Earlier this year it was announced that "Science meets Parliament" Day
would be on August 21-22.  The event is a wonderful opportunity for
scientists and technologists to put the case for science directly to
their MPs.  The event will be three months before the anticipated date
of the federal election. FASTS (Federation of Australian Scientific and
Technological Societies) is arranging for scientists to meet directly
with Parliamentarians. It will be a day of discussion, with pairs of
scientists visiting MPs and Senators at Parliament House in Canberra to
press the importance of the national investment in science and
technology.

Issues to be presented are outlined in the attached document if you want
to take a look. One of the principle actions, and perhaps the most
relevant to AQUA members is a push for "A National Action Plan to
Address Land Degradation and Water Quality Issues" (see details in
attachment).

Given that I will be attending this meeting on behalf of AQUA members, I
would be particularly grateful for any additional comments or advice
from AQUA members regarding issues that you believe should be raised
with members of parliament. These may include the status and funding of
our discipline within universities and incentives for further investment
in R&D and linkages to industry.

I will be away until 17th August (fieldwork in PNG), but please email
your suggestions or comments to me directly.

Cheers,

Simon
-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Simon Haberle

ARC/QEII Research Fellow
President, Australasian Quaternary Association

School of Geography and Environmental Science,
PO Box 11A, Monash University,
Victoria 3800
AUSTRALIA

Room: S123
Tel: +61-3-9905-2932 or x52939
Fax: +61-3-9905-2948

Web Page: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/who/Haberle.html
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