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Government Supports Chief Scientist and Renewable Energy Research

Posted on: Thursday, 6 May 2004, 06:00 CDT

Peter McGauran defends claims in Australasian Science last month that the Chief Scientist has a conflict of interest.

Senator Bob Brown has continued his campaign of vilification directed at Australia's Chief Scientist in his article Chief Scientist's Double Role Must End (AS, March 2004, p43). It is equally disappointing to see that he has now been joined in this unfair attack on an eminent Australian by the Labor Party's Science spokesman, Senator Kim Carr.

Dr Batterham's role and activities as Chief Scientist have been more transparent, accountable and scrutinised than any of his predecessors. In the face of constant examination by his detractors, including Senators Brown and Carr, the Chief Scientist continues to enjoy the overwhelming support and endorsement of both the science community and the Australian government.

Senator Brown has based his criticism of Dr Batterham on his professional background in the resources sector. The government, however, considers that the appointment of a distinguished scientist who has an active industry role brings great strength to the position, and for practical considerations this necessitates a part- time arrangement.

Dr Batterham's employment with Rio Tinto is obvious to all and was taken into account when he was appointed as Chief Scientist. He has declared his pecuniary interests, and strict probity arrangements apply in relation to the Chief Scientist and all other members of key advisory bodies such as the Cooperative Research Centres. Structures are in place within Rio Tinto ensuring the Chief Scientist is not involved in the detail of any projects where a conflict of interest could arise.

Senator Brown ignores the facts about the government's support for renewable energy research. Worse, he implies that the government's support for research into sequestration of CO2 is being influenced improperly by the Chief Scientist.

As Chief Scientist, Dr Batterham's advice is considered alongside a broad range of other inputs in the policy-making process - his is not the sole basis of the government's science decisions.

The facts are that the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Greenhouse Gas Technologies, which is undertaking work on geological sequestration, won support in the competitive 2002 CRC selection round. The selection of CRCs is a merit-based process in which all applications are assessed against published selection criteria by the CRC Committee - it is a level playing field.

I can assure readers that both the government and the Chief Scientist are conscious of the need to avoid any conflict of interest arising from the Chief Scientist's role as Chief Technologist for Rio Tinto. Dr Batterham's contract includes provisions that ensure any potential conflict of interest is immediately declared and addressed.

Dr Batterham is held in the highest regard by his scientific peers. Earlier this month he was elected as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Engineering and in May 2004 he is due to take up his appointment as President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. Overseas and local governments, including several Labor state governments, actively seek out his advice.

Dr Batterham is a person of great integrity and has the full confidence of the government and the scientific, research and industry communities. Senator Brown has found no evidence of improper behaviour by the Chief Scientist because there is none.

"Dr Batterham's role and activities as Chief Scientist have been more transparent, accountable and scrutinised than any of his predecessors."

Peter McGauran is Federal Minister for Science.

Copyright Control Publications Pty Ltd Apr 2004

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