[Aqualist] Message from FASTS

[Tim Barrows]

CONTINUING ACHIEVEMENTS

FASTS is Australia's peak science body, 
representing over 60 professional societies and 
60,000 scientists. You are a member of FASTS 
through membership of your professional 
society.  Our professional staff serve you, your 
society and the Australian scientific community 
in a range of ways, and our ongoing contributions 
to Australian science include:
·       'Science meets Parliament'-FASTS' annual 
flagship event, where more than 200 scientists 
have face-to-face meetings with politicians on key science issues
·       Highlighting science with the Prime 
Minister and the Cabinet through the Prime 
Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC)
·       Organising forums and workshops on key science issues
·       Developing science policy at a high level 
and providing input to Parliamentary Committees, 
Government Departments and Government reviews and inquiries
·       Assisting member societies to raise and develop issues, and
·       Distributing information to member 
societies weekly, and receiving feedback.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2008

·       Forums on 'Rights and Obligations of 
Scientists and Researchers' and 'Supporting Risk-Aware Research'
·       A national roadshow to gather inputs to 
FASTS' submission to the Cutler Review
·       Submissions to reviews on Higher 
Education Research Training, Future Fellowships, 
Defence, Higher Education Endowment Fund, ERA journal ranking, Questacon, CRC
·       Continuation of FASTS' successful request 
for release of ARC grants in early October
·       FASTS' statement on Climate Change - reported in 145 media outlets
·       FASTS' Taxonomy paper highlighting this endangered species at SmP 2008.

ONGOING AND FUTURE PROJECTS

In 2009 FASTS will:
·       Hold 'Science meets Parliament' on 17/18 
March - contact FASTS to attend
·       Provide to Parliament examples of science 
success stories from FASTS' members
·       Present 'On the Radar' briefings on 
upcoming issues in science that need to be 
addressed by government, industry and the media - contact FASTS with your ideas
·       Contribute to the development of National 
Curricula in science and mathematics
·       Investigate whether science graduates 
have sufficient industry-ready practical skills.

VALUE TO MEMBERS

In addition to our continuing and prospective activities we will:
·       Establish an expert list of FASTS members 
for media commentary - via your society
·       Hold a forum on Governance of Science - 
how can science self-organise better?
FASTS seeks your help through your member society 
to keep science at the forefront of the national 
agenda in these challenging times.  For more 
information visit the FASTS' website:

www.fasts.org

Professor Ken Baldwin, 
President                                  Bradley Smith, Executive Director