Hot topics                    

Monday 16 March 2009 (updated Wed 18 March 5:20pm AEDT)

MEDIA ALERT: Science Meets Parliament 2009

Wed 18 March 2009 from 7.30am AEDT - online

For an entire day once a year, Federal Parliament lives and breathes science. ‘Science meets Parliament’ brings up to 200 scientists from all over the country to meet with parliamentarians in Canberra and the AusSMC gave journalists the opportunity to be a “fly on the wall” at Parliament House and to access three of the presentations online during the day.

‘Science Meets Parliament’ was organised by the Federation of Australian Science and Technological Societies (FASTS).




Nanotechnology and Safety
7.30am – 8.30am AEDT
Nano-particles are already used in manufacturing and research sites. But are they safe? What is the current state of play with nano-particles. What do we know? What don't we know? What do we need to know?

SPEAKERS:
• Paul Wright, Nanosafe, RMIT University, Melbourne
• Steve Mullins, OHS officer, ACTU
• Brian Power, Chair, ANBF
• Dr Howard Morris, Nanotechnology OHS Program Manager, Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC), Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
• Dr Maxine McCall, theme leader, nanosafety, CSIRO

Listen to the full presentation (mp3)

Follow the full presentation by clicking here (Webex)

Coasts and oceans into the future: Australia's marine domain
10.45am – 11.45am AEDT
70% of Australia is underwater following recent UN recognition of Australia’s extended maritime borders. But what do we really know about this rich and complex marine resource?

SPEAKERS:
• John Gunn, Chief Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division - Oceans matter
• Ian Poiner, CEO Australian Institute of Marine Science - Australian marine science and technology matters
• Anthony Bergin, Director of Research Programs, Australian Strategic Policy Institute - Sea change: towards Australia's ocean destiny.
• Neville Smith, Acting Director, Bureau of Meteorology - A Marine Nation: National Framework for Marine Research and Innovation

Listen to the full presentation (mp3)

Follow the full presentation by clicking here (Webex)

Indigenous Australia and science
4.00pm – 5.00pm AEDT
There are growing connections between indigenous Australia and science in Natural Resource Management, indigenous health and species identification. How to manage relations across the boundaries raises important challenges for intellectual property, setting science and research agendas and equitable access to science.

SPEAKERS:

• Mick Gooda, Aboriginal Health, CRC
• Kerry Arabena, AIATSIS
• Dr Craig James, Desert Knowledge CRC
• Dan Walker, CSIRO

	Listen to the full presentation (mp3)
	Follow the full presentation by clicking here (Webex)