Science the key to WA growth
Radio astronomy, biodiversity, and health and medicine are among five areas identified by the State Government as priorities for scientific research.
Colin Barnett will release WA's first Science Statement at the Science On The Swan conference, which will bring some of the world's best medical science and health research minds together in Perth today.
The paper Growing Western Australia recognises mining and energy, health and medicine, agriculture and food, biodiversity and marine science, and radio astronomy as the research areas that will make the most of what WA has to offer.
The Premier said the Science Statement articulated the areas of science the Government believed should be priorities to make the most of the State's natural advantages and build on existing areas of expertise to broaden WA's economy.
He said WA was blessed with unique biodiversity and some of Australia's most valuable environmental assets, such as Ningaloo Reef and the Kimberley, and its vast unpopulated areas made it ideal for radio astronomy.
WA Chief Scientist Peter Klinken said it was promising that the State was developing clear focus areas for the first time, particularly as researchers and their organisations were crying out for direction.
Professor Klinken said mining and agriculture were no-brainers as priorities for WA and it was exciting to see the State recognising it was a biodiversity hotspot and home of the Square Kilometre Array project.
