SMaRT Science meets Parliament

UNSW SMaRT Centre and its Director, Professor Veena, have been front and centre of a new initiative to engage the Australian Parliament on the national importance of science and technology.

Supporting the joint initiative by Science & Technology Australia and the Australian Academy of Science, Veena joined and spoke at the Parliamentary Friends of Science event at Parliament House that discussed the vital national role of science, particularly around critical minerals and geoscience capability.

Veena talked about using recycling innovations such as UNSW SMaRT Centre's MICROfactorie^TM Technologies and its Green Steel^TM Polymer Injection Technology that recover valuable materials from waste and reform them into new manufacturing feedstock and products are central to help achieve materials sustainability and for the energy system needed for the future.

And she discussed SMaRT's work on researching solutions for materials resource recovery using innovative and collaborative opportunities, which are crucial to help create circular economies while enhancing sovereign capability and reducing reliance on vulnerable global supply chains, as we highlight here in a newly published article and in SMaRT's newly published submission to Parliament's 'No time to waste' Inquiry.

The Australian Academy of Science said: "Yes (Deputy PM) Richard Marles we agree with you that - “nothing gets done without nerds. Australia is sitting on extraordinary critical mineral wealth. But having the resources isn’t enough. We need the capability to find development and secure them. Today on the Hill, leading geoscientists, researchers and industry came together to discuss how we close that gap. 

"Our Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035 work has already sounded the alarm: geoscience is a capability Australia will increasingly need, yet we aren’t training enough geoscientists. As the Deputy Prime Minister says, the only thing better than a rock star is a rock scientist, and we need a lot more of them to secure Australia’s future."

And National Youth Science Forum CEO Dr Melanie Bagg said: "It was great to represent the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) at the Parliamentary Friends of Science event this morning at Parliament House discussing critical minerals and geoscience capability. Basically we are somewhat stuffed if we don’t get this right, we are so reliant on a range of resources to power our lives……phones, tech, medical devices and so much more! 

"I believe NYSF programs can help bolster workforce in this area by connecting a diverse range of young Australians with critical mineral/metal resource futures. It was great to see NYSF Alum there and chat to educators who have seen the difference NYSF programs can make. 

"Thanks so much to all involved in organising the event Science & Technology Australia The Australian Academy of Science Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering. A huge thanks to Deputy PM Richard Marles and Aaron Violi MP for co-chairing this important Parliamentary Friends Group. The passion that Tim Ayres has for an Ambitious Australia is so inspiring and great to hear his thoughts on this area. 

"Great to see a whole bunch of STEM Sector friends and make new connections. Thanks team!! Cathy Foley Veena Sahajwalla AO Sarah Tynan Ryan Winn Jas Chambers Verity Normington DFGSAust. GAICD and so, so many more!"