From the press room
UF launches Research, Science and Technology policy – 2008-07-08
UnitedFuture today launched its Research, Science & Technology policy to the Agriculture and Horticulture Science Conference at Palmerston North’s Massey University.
“Our policy demonstrates that UnitedFuture understands just how important science is to New Zealand’s economic and environmental wellbeing, that we back the science community and that we recognise the current systems and funding are woefully inadequate,” says UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne.
“UnitedFuture wants to establish an Office of the Chief Scientist to directly advise the Prime Minister and Cabinet, as proposed by the National Science Panel and as occurs in many other countries including Australia, UK and Holland.
“The Chief Scientist would ensure that science is drawn on appropriately in all phases of government decision-making. This would encourage more evidence based policy and reduce the influence of rigid ideology, with which New Zealanders have had enough.”
UnitedFuture would also integrate the operations of MRST and FRST into the Office of the Chief Scientist as part of the drive to simplify funding mechanisms.
“With significant issues such as climate change facing our energy, primary and export sectors, it is imperative that scientific research is given the required long-term certainty of funding to successfully meet those challenges.
“We need to increase government funding of Research, Science & Technology to above the OECD average,” says Mr Dunne.