Mr McARTHUR —My question is addressed to the Minister for Science and Technology. I refer the minister to the recent review of the Commonwealth science and technology arrangements across all portfolios conducted by the Chief Scientist, Professor John Stocker. What are the major findings of the report? What are its likely implications with regard to current government policy on science and technology?

Mr McGAURAN —I thank the honourable member for his question. I did today take delivery of the report by the Chief Scientist, Professor John Stocker. It involved some four months of research on his part and drew 95 submissions from a broad cross-section of groups—science and industry bodies, environmental groups, farming sectors and the higher education sector.

I had asked the Chief Scientist in February to undertake a review of the Commonwealth's science and technology arrangements to investigate gaps and overlaps between port folios or agencies as well as to identify an approach for the setting of national science and technology priorities. There have been a number of previous attempts to set out a national guideline of science and technology priorities, none of which has been obviously successful.

Professor Stocker raises some very interesting points in his report, some of which are not new to any government. He also presents a number of challenges. He sets out a blueprint for reform of science and technology arrangements. As a key starting point to identifying priorities, Professor Stocker recommends a shake-up of the role of the government's chief advisory bodies—the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council, the Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council, the Coordination Committee on Science and Technology and the Office of the Chief Scientist.

The report also covers research activities undertaken by the three major science and research agencies—CSIRO, ANSTO and AIMS—and calls for a single strategic plan so as to eliminate duplication of effort, and it seeks a more coordinated effort with the states. As the review covers a number of portfolios and government agencies, I will consider its recommendations fully in consultation with my ministerial colleagues. At the same time, I will encourage feedback from science industry and other stakeholders. I would wish to thank the Chief Scientist for his very valuable effort.