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IMPACT
MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ATSE.ORG.AU NUMBER 211 | 2021
Seeking
sustainability
No time to waste
ATSE Awards 2021 On Thursday 10 June we will announce the winners of our ATSE Awards 2021. These awards celebrate the achievements of Australians at the vanguard of science, technology and engineering. All Award winners will be shared on our website on Thursday 10 June 2021 Clunies Ross Award Innovation Clunies Ross Award Entrepreneurship Clunies Ross Award Knowledge Commercialisation Recognises leaders who have shared their vision and knowledge to apply technology for the benefit of Australia. Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence An early career award for a graduate engineer who has achieved substantial peer/industry recognition for their work in the past five years. ICM Agrifood Award Acknowledges the outstanding work of two early career scientists or technologists. Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship Recognises the potential impact of an outstanding PhD candidate in polymer science or engineering. David and Valerie Solomon Award An early-mid career award for a science or technology graduate working in academia/research or industry R&D who demonstrates substantial ability to foster research- industry collaboration and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Australia. atse.org.au
Cover photo by Francesco
28
Ungaro / Unsplash
PUBLISHER
Australian Academy of
Technology & Engineering
ADDRESS
Level 2, 28 National Circuit
Forrest ACT 2603
POSTAL ADDRESS
26 36
PO Box 4776
Kingston ACT 2604
TELEPHONE
+61 2 6185 3240
+61 3 9864 0900
FEATURES
EMAIL
communications@atse.org.au
6 Towards a waste free future
CEO By Susan Pond and Phillip Butler
Kylie Walker
EDITORS
20 A vaxxing time
Benjamin Hickey Interview with John Skerritt
Liz Foschia and Gordon Naylor
46
DESIGN
Elizabeth Geddes 22 A virtuous circle
By Veena Sahajwalla
ISSN
1326-8708 (print)
2207-8223 (electronic) 26 When the mattress king met
the queen of waste REGULARS
PRINT POST
By Liz Foschia
Publication number 4 From the President’s desk
100007367
28 The perfect storm: How can we feed 5 Welcome from the CEO
COPYRIGHT the world without wrecking the planet?
© Australian Academy of
Technology & Engineering
By Tim Reeves 10 New Fellows
DOWNLOAD AS A PDF 32 Solar: The next energy revolution 12 Academy submissions
atse.org.au
By Martin Green
16 Academy news
36 Dugongs, disaster and making 53 IMNIS — Industry mentoring
The Academy acknowledges the
Traditional Owners of the land
a difference
on which we meet and work. Interview with Helene Marsh 56 STELR — STEM education
We recognise the deep
knowledge and practices 42 Troubled waters 58 Fellows’ achievements
embedded in the oldest By Stuart Khan
continuous culture on the 62 Vale
planet – Australia’s history of
engineering, technology and 46 Defending scientific values 66 What we’re reading
applied science spans more in a “post-truth” age
than 60,000 years. We pay our By Trevor Danos
respects to Elders past, present
and emerging.
48 Space for diversity
By Sarah Pearce
IMPACT 2021 3
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
What will
make Australia
sustainable?
It is no surprise that sustainability is the most
cogent issue for most of ATSE’s Fellows, especially
as many of the issues that threaten our planet
and our lifestyle, are amenable to technological
and engineering solutions.
For example: In addition to regulation, there
• mitigating and adapting to climate is another topic that we as
change (including achieving net zero technologists and engineers need
emissions by 2050 or sooner) to address and that’s “social
sustainability”. By that I mean all
• providing food for Australia and the factors that go into creating a
the world socially cohesive society. These are the
• managing our scarce water resources very underpinnings of the success of Education is the key to social
• stopping the deluge of waste we are Australia: equity, the rule of law, fairness, sustainability. While we have a sound
producing by repurposing it for new respect, diversity and inclusion, equal education system, it is severely
products opportunity and equal treatment lacking when it comes to developing
before the law. STEM career paths for students.
• improving our health care system
and making it cheaper despite an In my view, technology has I believe the drift we have been
ageing population unfortunately led to a steady drift witnessing in inequity is due to the
• stopping (or at least slowing) the away from these fundamental values fact that a lack of STEM training is
extinction of species – a situation accelerated by the putting many jobs out of reach for
COVID pandemic. There is plenty of segments of our population. To ensure
• supporting local manufacturing
data to show the pandemic has had the sustainability of our economy and
• creating flexible and reliable a devastating effect on segments of our society we need to address this with
supply chains. the population while hardly impacting some urgency, which is why this is one of
others. ATSE’s top three priorities.
This issue of Impact will show that
technological solutions which can Using US figures (and ours are likely Ultimately, as technologists, if
effectively address these problems to be similar) about 42 per cent of the our solutions do not create social
are not only possible, they’re likely. population was able to use technology sustainability as well as environmental
to work from home and maintain their sustainability, we shall have failed. This
However, technology on its own does income. At the same time, that group is a complex challenge without simple
not solve problems. Technology must accounted for around two-thirds of solutions. But it is not insuperable.
fit into a political and regulatory economic activity .
framework that encourages its
adoption. The rest of the population was either
forced to go into “frontline” workplaces
As an example, without regulation (where they were much more exposed
there is no financial incentive for to contagion) or were out of work and
producers to manage their waste. seeking part-time and piece work,
It would probably be cheaper to resulting in the increased spread
simply dump it somewhere. of the virus (just consider the workers
in our aged care facilities).
The same applies to the waste from
power generation (and other processes), My point being that our social system Professor Hugh Bradlow
namely carbon emissions. Unless you is not set up to ensure equity and this FTSE
regulate their removal, human nature is undermines the sustainability of our Hugh Bradlow is the President
such that people will not bother. Anyone whole society. It should not have taken of the Australian Academy of
who has worked in a regulated industry a pandemic to make us recognise that Technology and Engineering.
You can read his reflections
such as telecommunications will tell forcing people into multiple part-time on the big issues facing Australia
you that regulation is an essential jobs is not a formula for the health of on our website.
complement to technology. any of us.
4 IMPACT2021
IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
WELCOME FROM THE CEO
Sustainability is a core value of the Australian
Academy of Technology and Engineering.
It’s listed proudly on our Values Statement, alongside
integrity and transparency, inclusion, collaboration,
excellence and independence, and professional pride.
“We strive,” says the statement, “to support science and engineering to build and analyse
environmental, social and economic renewable energy generators. Our new
sustainability through our activities and coding education program, CS in Schools,
operations”. And I’m proud to report that is promoting Australia’s digital capability
Fellows and the Secretariat are working with its ambitious target to deliver quality,
in partnership to ensure the Academy is free computer science education to every
threading this value through everything Australian school student. Our successful
we do. Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS)
program is building a thriving collaboration
Our three priority issues, as identified culture and creating nation-building
Kylie Walker
by Fellowship, are mitigating and Chief Executive Officer
career pathways for skilled graduates by
adapting to climate change, enhancing Kylie Walker is the CEO of
connecting STEM PhD students with the Australian Academy of
research collaboration, translation and
senior industry mentors. Technology and Engineering.
commercialisation, and exciting and
educating young people in STEM. All three With the opening of our new head office
priorities speak to environmental, economic in Canberra, ATSE is applying the principle
and social sustainability. of sustainability closer to home, too. Our
In our policy work, we’ve produced a major refit was deliberately low-impact: we’re
report laying out a pathway for Australia in a retro-fitted office in an older building,
to become a waste-free economy while within walking distance to many of our
growing jobs and exports. We’ve publicly key partners and Australia’s political
disseminated an expert but plain-language leadership, so we’re cutting down on car
explainer to how Australia is tracking against and plane travel.
its emissions reduction targets. We’re In completing the refit, we left almost all the
creating ambitious new net zero targets existing walls, windows and carpets in place,
and proposing the technology pathways and sourced our furniture from a closely-
to achieving them. located Australian manufacturer to minimise
Acknowledging that Australia’s original construction waste and freight miles. And
technologists and engineers are custodians we’re proud to feature as a splashback in
of the most sustainable society on the our new kitchenette ‘green ceramic’ tiles
planet, we’re also incorporating Aboriginal composed of recycled textiles and glass,
and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and made in a new NSW microfactory
into the policy submissions we make to using technology invented by ATSE Fellow
Government inquiries and consultations. and materials engineer, Professor Veena
Sahajwalla.
Through our STEM careers pathways
programs we’re supporting the sustainability Of course, Professor Sahajwalla is just one
of our sector, and of the Australian economy, of many ATSE Fellows working every day to
by nurturing a highly-skilled and diverse apply their world-class expertise to building
future workforce with science, technology, a more sustainable future.
engineering and mathematics capabilities.
As ATSE’s commitment to advocating for,
Our long-running, hands-on secondary practically supporting, and practising
education program STELR has sustainability sustainability continues to grow and
at its core: our kits and resources guide develop, I’m proud to present to you this
teachers and students through applying sustainability issue of Impact.
IMPACT 2021 5
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
Towards a
waste free future
T EC H N O LO GY R E A D I N E S S I N AU ST R A L I A’ S WA ST E
A N D R E S O U RC E R EC OV E RY S ECTO R
It’s time to change how we think about How big are the potential social, economic
waste. The ever-more complex products and environmental benefits in moving from
that surround us have shorter and shorter a linear to a circular economy?
life cycles – even though they’re made of
valuable, durable materials like metal One sector’s trash …
and plastic.
The economic argument for a circular
Current disposal practices squander the economy is compelling: more efficient use
energy, resources and value locked inside of resources, less waste management costs,
Dr Susan Pond these products, and gravely threaten and new highly-skilled jobs, particularly in
AM FTSE FAHMS our environment and health. small and medium enterprises.
Susan Pond is a leading scientist
renowned for her work in pharma- Altogether, Australians generate 67 million There are also significant environmental,
cology, biotechnology, and sustain- tonnes of waste each year. Most of that is health and social benefits to an economy
ability. She is currently Chair of
the NSW Smart Sensing Network. not recycled. We’re not alone – if the current based on good design, reusing products and
A former Vice President of ATSE, global trajectory is maintained, by 2050 materials, and recovering resources to use
she co-chaired the Project Expert humanity will need the equivalent of almost again.
Working Group for this report. three planets to produce enough resources
to satisfy global consumption. Just a five per cent increase in material
efficiency in Australia could boost the
But while it’s easy to “admire the problem” economy by $24 billion. So what’s holding us
of waste, ATSE’s report on technology back? ATSE set out to answer this question.
readiness in the waste and resource
recovery sector set out to find systemic Want not
solutions. This report is the third in a series
The expert working group was guided by the
of technology readiness reports supported
findings of the 2018 National Waste Report,
by the Australian Research Council, with the
and focussed specifically on the volume
first two looking at transport and health.
and impact of waste in masonry materials,
Phillip Butler Through this project, a team of ATSE Fellows organics, paper and cardboard, plastics
FTSE and other leading experts considered key and glass.
Phil Butler is a national leader in questions about technology readiness
manufacturing innovation. He is in this increasingly vital sector. We also looked at emerging waste streams
the creator and director of Textor such as e-waste, lithium-ion batteries, solar
Technologies, a global textiles
exporter. He co-chaired the Project
What if we could design more resource- photovoltaic panels, and tyres, as these are
Expert Working Group for this report. efficient products using materials that increasing with little planning in place for
could easily be recovered and used again? their end of life.
6 IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY
TECHNOLOGY READINESS
POLICY
The ATSE team researched extensively essential to support and guide the systemic
and consulted with stakeholders right change we need. Australia must develop,
across Australia’s waste and resource adapt or adopt numerous new and existing
recovery sector, including with multinational technologies across a number of sectors,
companies. particularly in manufacturing.
We tapped a rich vein of knowledge, In our report, we looked at the application
practices and case studies demonstrating of technologies in three solution areas:
how, waste stream by waste stream,
companies, government agencies and Conscious design
communities are making the transition Waste is a design flaw. Good design will
towards a circular economy. avoid the generation of waste, and create
products that are durable, reusable,
The overarching principle of the report is repairable or able to be remanufactured
that materials have value at all stages of or disassembled once they reach the end
their lifecycle. We found that Australia has of their first life.
a huge opportunity to maximise the value
of materials in its manufacturing, retail The report provides several examples
and waste ecosystem for the benefit of of products that have been designed
Waste and pollution
the economy, society and the environment. to last “forever”. are not accidents,
but the consequences
A new policy paradigm To quote the UK-based Ellen MacArthur of decisions made
Foundation: “Waste and pollution are
ATSE’s report found one key barrier to this at the design stage,
not accidents, but the consequences
exciting future: right now, Australia does
of decisions made at the design stage, where 80 per cent
not have the right policy, regulatory and of environmental
economic frameworks to support the where 80 per cent of environmental
technology investment and innovation impacts are determined.” impacts are
our waste industry needs. determined.
Improved product stewardship
Any gains in resource recovery infrastructure We need all stakeholders in the lifecycle The Ellen MacArthur Foundation
depend on investment certainty, which in of a product to take responsibility for its
turn depends on economic feasibility and environmental, economic, health, and
policy settings. However, we found that safety impacts.
there is an immense appetite for change
in the sector and rapidly growing consumer Sensors, big data and analytics will inform
awareness of the issue. these improvements in design and product
innovation, material and energy efficiency,
Australia’s waste and resource recovery maintenance cycles and end of life
sector has huge potential for innovation- treatments.
lead growth. We have the necessary
skills, social readiness and technological Advanced resource recovery and
possibilities – all we need are the right manufacturing
economic and policy settings. We need sophisticated and innovative
technologies to recover resources, materials
To create a thriving circular economy, we and energy from waste that would
need a national framework that includes: otherwise be destined for landfill.
• long-term policy certainty
Furthermore, the recovered materials must
• incentive-based policies be used in new products or purposes before
• consistency across jurisdictions they can be considered “recycled”. We need
and portfolios. to develop the necessary infrastructure for
processing this waste, including sorting, pre-
Australian, state and territory governments
processing, collection and reverse logistics.
must work together to revolutionise waste
avoidance with targeted government Emerging waste streams such as e-waste,
investment and regulatory reform. lithium-ion batteries and solar photovoltaic
Technology-supported solutions panels contain rare metals and toxic
materials in much higher quantities than
While technology isn’t the only necessary current products. We need the technologies
ingredient for a circular economy, it is to process them separately and safely.
IMPACT 2021 7
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
IMNIS is transitioning to
an ‘All of STEM’ program
Australia’s leading program connecting PhD students
and early-stage postdoctoral researchers with high
profile industry leaders is expanding.
N E T WO R K I N G & P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E LO P M E N T
IMNIS Mentees have the opportunity to participate in state and national
networking events and industry-led professional development workshops.
R E D I C O N N ECT
In partnership with MTPConnect, IMNIS is expanding the Researcher
Exchange & Development in Industry (REDI) program initiative by doubling
the number of Mentees in high job-growth areas.
M E N TO R TO M O R R O W ’ S L E A D E R S I N ST E M
If you’re keen to invest in Australia’s STEM capability by becoming a
Mentor with IMNIS, please reach out to us at admin@imnis.org.au
TO DAY ’ S I N F LU E N C E R S M E N TO R I N G TO M O R R O W ’ S L E A D E R S I N ST E M
AUST R A L IA W I DE
IMNIS holds activities and
events in major capital cities
throughout the year IMNIS is an initiative of the
Australian Academy of
Technology and Engineering admin@imnis.org.au
(03) 9864 0902
0488 438 001
atse.org.au imnis.org.au
WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY
TECHNOLOGY READINESS
POLICY
The path forward And manufacturers and designers should
up their use of technologies to track critical
Based on its findings, ATSE made four key valuable materials.
recommendations to help policymakers,
industry and academia in Australia 4. Targeted government investment and
accelerate the transition to a thriving regulatory reform, and policy certainty
circular economy. If the Australian Government expands
1. A paradigm shift to design for the $190 million Recycling Modernisation
waste avoidance Fund and adds a new stream to deal with
emerging, problematic waste, it would
Designers, manufacturers, retailers and provide clear signals and certainty for
consumers are faced with the reality that investment.
we must change consumption and waste
habits. But inertia, policy uncertainty and Governments should also drive demand
market disincentives have led to slow for recovered materials by amending
progress. regulations or mandating procurement
of recycled materials, introducing further
Government can tip the scales toward landfill bans and/or levies, and investing
new and innovative business models, but in decentralised infrastructure to process
ultimately consumers must drive this waste and resources locally.
demand. Changing consumer behaviour
is the key solution and the Australian Continued support of Cooperative
Government can create national marketing Research Centres aimed at better design
campaigns aimed at supporting these and reducing waste is essential in order
changes. to create practical, economically viable
solutions that work at scale. Towards a Waste
Companies with leading brands will change
Free Future
the design of their products away from Full circle WA ST E & R E S O U R C E R EC OV E RY
packaging that cannot be recycled easily if
their consumers demand it. Social scientists Together, ATSE’s recommendations support
can prioritise research into promoting waste and accelerate work towards Australia’s
avoidant consumer behaviour. ambitious targets for waste avoidance,
resource recovery and recycling in the
2. A systems approach to increase resource National Waste Policy Action Plan.
productivity and recovery
They also provide a guide for industry to
The Australian Government, in collaboration shift towards more sustainable business
with state and territory governments, practices. Readers will find plenty of
should set an ambitious national resource inspiration in the case studies contained
productivity target – double by 2030. They in the full report.
should also set and enforce basic design
standards and specifications for Australian- Last but not least, the recommendations Towards a Waste Free Future was
made and imported products. provide priorities for research that will published in November 2020.
create cutting-edge technologies right
Researchers, manufacturers and the waste here in Australia to support our shift
and resources recovery sector also have towards a waste-free future. MORE
important roles to play in these systems.
IMPACT
Looking to 2030, we will continue to work
3. Big data and analytics to inform with the Australian Government as it
The report gained considerable
decision making by policy-makers, media coverage
implements its National Waste Policy and
businesses and consumers National Waste Policy Action Plan, and the WEBINAR
A deeper understanding of product Held with attendees from
various programs that support them. around Australia. A recording
life cycles will empower policymakers, is available online
businesses and consumers to make Putting the systems and conditions for a
better decisions. circular economy in place will empower READ
Australia to drastically reduce the damage Read the full report online
Industry and academia should do waste does to our environment, and
interdisciplinary research into the potential transform our waste streams into income atse.org.au
and applications of smart systems and streams.
artificial intelligence.
Governments should prioritise implementing
consistent and harmonised data
classification, analysis and reporting.
IMPACT 2021 9
Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering
New Fellows
2020
A bio-engineer who is 3D printing “ATSE Fellows are elected by their peers for
outstanding contributions to advancing
replacement body parts, a star engineering, technology and applied science:
astronomer and the inventor of these are the best of the best.” Academy
the world’s most accurate clock President Hugh Bradlow said.
are among the stellar crop of Due to COVID-19, the Fellows were announced
25 new Fellows elected to the with a nation-wide online video presentation,
which you can watch at:
Academy of Technology and
Engineering. atse.org.au/newfellows2020 Richard Bolt PSM FTSE
Principal, Nous Group and
Adjunct Professor of Energy
Transformation, Swinburne
University of Technology (VIC)
Professor Vicki Chen Professor Liang Cheng Professor Alice Clark Adjunct Professor Trevor
FTSE FTSE FTSE Danos AM FTSE
Executive Dean of Winthrop Professor, Deputy Director, Strategy Chair, Northern Sydney
Engineering, Architecture University of Western Sustainable Minerals Local Health District (NSW)
and IT, University of Australia (WA) Institute, University of
Queensland (QLD) Queensland (NSW)
Distinguished Professor Professor Renate Egan Professor Sally Gras Professor Elanor
Kingsley Dixon FTSE FTSE FTSE Huntington FTSE
John Curtin Distinguished Professor, UNSW Sydney Professor, University of Dean, College of
Professor, Curtin University (NSW) Melbourne (VIC) Engineering and Computer
(WA) Science, Australian
National University (ACT)
10 IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringDr Steve Jefferies Professor Stuart Khan Robert Klupacs FTSE Professor Andre Luiten
AO FTSE FTSE CEO, Bionics Institute (VIC) FTSE
Former Managing Director, Professor, UNSW Sydney Director, Institute for
Grains Research & Develop- (NSW) Photonics and Advanced
ment Corporation and Sensing, University of
former CEO of Australian Adelaide (SA)
Grain Technologies (ACT)
Professor Darren Martin Gordon Naylor FTSE Dr Sarah Pearce FTSE Professor Simon Ringer
FTSE Retired President of Seqirus Deputy Director, CSIRO FTSE
Professor, University of (VIC) Astronomy & Space Academic Director, Core
Queensland (QLD) Science (NSW) Research Facilities,
University of Sydney (NSW)
Professor Shazia Sadiq Professor Cordelia Distinguished Professor Professor Mark Stewart
FTSE Selomulya FTSE Daichao Sheng FTSE FTSE
Professor and Director, Professor, UNSW Sydney Head and Distinguished Professor, University of
University of Queensland (NSW) Professor, University of Newcastle (NSW)
(QLD) Technology Sydney (NSW)
Dr Vanessa Torres FTSE Professor Anton van den Professor Hala Zreiqat Professor Willy
Chief Technical Officer, Hengel FTSE AM FTSE FAA Zwaenepoel FTSE
South32 (WA) Co-Director, Australian Professor and Director, Dean of Engineering,
Institute for Machine University of Sydney (NSW) University of Sydney (NSW)
Learning, University of
Adelaide (SA)
IMPACT 2021 11
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringSubmissions from the Academy
Job-Ready Graduates Package ATSE’s Budget Priority – STEM National Water Reform
Draft Legislation skilled jobs and industry- Issues Paper
August 2020 research collaboration September 2020
The Australian Government’s 2020 August 2020 In 2020 the Productivity Commission
Higher Education Reform Package ATSE’s pre-budget submission undertook its first five-year inquiry into
represented some of the most highlighted how investment in progress on national water reform in
significant changes to tertiary technology could address major Australia. ATSE’s input into the inquiry
education in Australia in the last 30 challenges, support critical national highlighted that water will always be
years, and will impact current and future capabilities, and create future growth scarce in Australia and the challenges
generations of students in Australia. industries following the economic of managing it efficiently are only
disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. increasing along with the risks.
ATSE has long advocated for incentives
to encourage domestic students to ATSE argued that directing such ATSE recommended a long-term,
choose fields of study that lead to jobs investments towards greater economic strategic, national approach to water
of national priority, particularly in STEM, and environmental sustainability would management and a regular, transparent
but it was disappointing to see that build Australia’s resilience and unlock process of measuring compliance and
no new money will enter the sector to the full potential of our future workforce. progress of reforms. ATSE urged the
achieve this outcome under the reforms. Australian Government to commit to
We specifically recommended a 10-year strategy for national water
Along with other stakeholders, ATSE also government investment in responsible reform and address responsibility and
raised concern that the funding model technological solutions for agile and governance arrangements in
had the potential to provoke perverse responsive modern manufacturing and the National Water Initiative.
outcomes and actually disincentivise supply chains, clean energy, integrated
universities to enrol domestic students digital healthcare, and advanced data ATSE has continued to engage with the
in STEM subjects, but unfortunately no collection and analytics to provide more Productivity Commission during this
changes were made. reliable and better equity of access to inquiry. Our input was explicitly used in
goods, services and utilities, as well as the draft report released in February
ATSE released a media statement creating jobs in Australia. 2021 and has been reinforced through
in response to the proposed draft evidence provided in the inquiry’s
legislation to highlight this and The 2020-21 Federal Budget included a public hearings.
other issues. number of measures aligned to ATSE’s
pre-budget submission, including the
Modern Manufacturing Strategy and
the Technology Investment Roadmap.
12 IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringPOLICY
Higher Education Support Review of the MRFF Priorities Submission to the Inquiry into
Amendment Bill 2020 October 2020 Higher Education Legislation
September 2020 ATSE’s submission recommended seven October 2020
ATSE’s submission to the Higher areas for the Medical Research Future ATSE’s submission to the Senate
Education Support Amendment Bill Fund (MRFF) to focus on during the Education and Employment Legislation
2020 commended the Government’s next 12 months: Committee Inquiry into the Higher
proposed investments in training a • global health and health security Education Legislation Amendment
STEM-ready workforce and connecting • Aboriginal and Torres Strait (Provider Category Standards and
industry with the tertiary research Islander health Other Measures) Bill was critical of
sector, but reiterated our earlier concern • ageing and aged care the proposed measures, which would
(regarding the Job Ready Graduates • digital health intelligence increase both the scale and quality
Package) that universities may receive • clinical researcher capacity of research expected of an Australian
less funding per STEM place under the • drug repurposing university and impose new costs, red
new funding model. • public health interventions. tape and uncertainty in the sector
– already reeling from the impacts
ATSE raised these issues with the Senate These priorities were also based of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Standing Committee on Education on the findings of ATSE’s major report
and Employment’s Inquiry into the on technology readiness in the Further, regulation of the quality of
draft legislation, but these changes healthcare sector. university research has never been
were unfortunately not made to the attempted in Australia or in another
legislation. The committee’s final The revised MRFF priorities adopted comparable country. The Tertiary
report was released in September ATSE’s recommendations on the need Education Quality and Standards
2020 and the legislation was passed for sovereign capabilities in health Agency was not established to
in October 2020. and medical research. regulate the quality of research
and has received no new funding or
resources to undertake the role.
National Preventive Health Review of the ERA and EI ATSE’s concerns were reported in
Strategy assessment frameworks Campus Morning Mail to the higher
September 2020 October 2020 education sector, but unfortunately,
were not taken into account in the
Based on the findings of ATSE’s major The Excellence in Research for Australia eventual design of the scheme.
report on technology readiness in the (ERA) and Engagement and Impact
healthcare sector, ATSE recommended (EI) assessment frameworks provide
that Australia’s preventive health a platform for Australia to encourage
strategy should focus on equity of research quality and promote positive National Priorities and
access and health outcomes. research culture. However, both ERA Industry Linkage Fund
and EI methodologies face challenges October 2020
ATSE highlighted how technology can in accurately assessing impact and
underpin this shift, with the most critical The National Priorities and Industry
engagement.
priority being to empower consumers Linkage Fund (NPILF) is aimed at
and clinicians through the digitisation ATSE provided advice to the Australian supporting higher education to play
of health records. Research Council based on long a critical role in Australia’s COVID-19
engagement with both of these economic recovery through delivery
Embracing new technologies will also measures, building on previous of more graduates in areas of industry
be vital in ensuring that the benefits submissions about the same issue. and community priority.
of a wellness system are available in
regional areas and in Aboriginal and This response focused on enhancing There is significant alignment between
Torres Strait Islander communities, as the value of the ERA and EI data and the NPILF’s objectives and ATSE’S vision
well as for disadvantaged people in outputs to end-users, and opportunities for a strong, diverse and appropriately
urban communities. to extend their usefulness, including skilled STEM workforce. However, the
enhanced access to research data and approach taken does not address
The Government has since announced open access to scientific publications. national priorities or the needs of
new funding to improve My Health industry and business, and the proposed
Record, including its digital identity Campus Morning Mail provided metrics for success were problematic.
system, as recommended by ATSE’s coverage of ATSE’s submission on the ATSE also recommended that industry
report, as well as the expansion of ERA and EI assessment frameworks representatives should be appointed
telehealth. to the higher education sector. to the NPILF guiding body.The NPILF final report and ATSE recommended: creating a
implementation of the scheme did not ATSE support for legislation legislated consumer right to repair
follow these recommendations, but committing to net zero products, starting with electronics;
included an appendix which reiterated emissions targeting manufacturing grant
many of ATSE’s key points and specified programs and tax incentives toward
that Government should provide November 2020
innovative design for waste avoidance
incentives for industry and SMEs to The science and lived experience of or minimisation, including repairability;
engage with universities and enhance climate change is becoming increasingly creating standards and certification
support for Work Integrated Learning. clear and was brought into sharp relief systems for reused, repaired and
by Australia’s horror bushfire season of remanufactured goods to build
2019-20. In its response to legislation consumer confidence and promote
Modern Manufacturing put forward by independent Zali sustainable design.
Steggall MP, ATSE urged the Government
Strategy Roadmaps to take urgent action to reduce carbon
November 2020 emissions into the atmosphere, using
ATSE recommended that targeted legislation to create certainty. Pre-budget Submission: Building
support and investment in Australian STEM career pathways and
medical technology, including in digital ATSE’s President Professor Hugh workforce diversity to address
health records, should be a top priority Bradlow and CEO Kylie Walker were Australia’s future challenges
of the Federal Government’s Modern invited to appear before the House of
Representatives Standing Committee January 2021
Manufacturing Strategy .
on the Environment and Energy to give ATSE urged the Government to
ATSE shares the Strategy’s vision for evidence at an inquiry into the two take action on the urgent priority
Australia to be recognised as a high climate change bills being proposed of mitigating and adapting to
quality, sustainable manufacturing by Ms Steggall. climate change, and to prioritise
nation, and argued that targeted and science, technology, engineering and
strategic investment in technology ATSE also provided a submission to mathematics (STEM) education, career
would catalyse this transformation. the inquiry which strongly emphasised pathways, and workforce diversity to
the importance of achieving net zero ensure we have the capacity to drive
ATSE’s submission to the draft Strategy emissions. innovation in Australia’s recovery from
commended our technology readiness
reports to the Department, which were ATSE highlighted the opportunities for COVID-19 and address future challenges.
mentioned and cited in both the medical social, economic and environmental ATSE advised Government that
products and recycling and clean benefit that would be created by the investment in skills, infrastructure and
energy roadmaps. The submission innovation required for effective climate research to support an innovation
was also reported on in Campus change mitigation and adaptation economy were paramount as Australia
Morning Mail. efforts. ATSE is continuing to support recovers from the effects of the
this work through our net zero emissions COVID-19 pandemic.
working group.
Australia’s Artificial Intelligence ATSE released a media statement
Action Plan highlighting the importance of
Submission to the Productivity addressing climate change in the
November 2020 Federal Budget.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a Commission Inquiry into a
pathway for economic recovery from Right to Repair
the COVID-19 pandemic. January 2021
Digital Transformation Strategy
To break down barriers which have ATSE strongly supports a legislated
consumer right to repair products, as February 2021
limited growth of the digital technology
sector, ATSE recommended the Federal recommended in our major research In response to the consultation on
Government strengthen cyber security report on technology readiness in the a refreshed Digital Transformation
against increasing attacks and misuse waste and resource recovery sector, Strategy, ATSE urged a whole of
of data, and build valuable datasets and provided information and guidance government commitment to ensure
that underpin AI. Australian data based on this report to the Productivity Australia realises the full potential
infrastructure and governance also Commission’s inquiry. of current and emerging digital
needs to be improved in order to fully technologies and digital transformation.
Repairing products rather than
take advantage of AI-defined networks.
replacing them represents better ATSE recommended the refreshed
CSIRO’s Data61 has since received a value for consumers, requires less Digital Transformation Strategy
funding boost to establish a national AI resources and avoids waste. It also embrace a citizen-centric approach
centre, and further spending has been diverts substantial valuable resources with a single portal for all government
allocated to accelerating the use of the from landfill, particularly electronics services – federal, state and local.
Consumer Data Right to allow greater which contain environmentally harmful Governments need to inspire trust in
control of personal data in sectors such substances in much higher quantities citizens that they will not lose or abuse
as banking and energy. than other products. the data.
14 IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringPOLICY
Pleasingly, the Government’s new the barriers to widespread adoption of
Digital Economy Strategy, released in National Water Reform Draft new transport technologies.
May 2021, provides support for a range Report 2020
of important initiatives and includes However given transport’s growing
March 2021 contribution to Australia’s carbon
funding for government services such as
myGov and My Health Record. The Productivity Commission’s draft emissions, ATSE encouraged a more
report into National Water Reform has ambitious approach to decarbonising
addressed many of the issues identified the private transport sector. This
in ATSE’s original submission to the includes introducing a national
Response to the National inquiry, but could go further. target and regulation, and boosting
Gene Technology Scheme skills and workforce readiness. These
Consultation Regulation Stronger governance arrangements recommendations are aligned with the
should be recommended and more
Impact Statement submission from Engineers Australia.
detail is needed on how Aboriginal and
March 2021 Torres Strait Islander communities will
Jointly, the Australian Academy of be consulted in their implementation.
Science and ATSE strongly supported There should also be a stronger focus University Research
plans to future-proof and modernise the on assessing social good in water Commercialisation Scheme
gene technology regulatory system. allocations and ensuring climate Consultation Paper
resilience is built in.
Accumulated experience has shown April 2021
that the National Gene Technology The Productivity Commission’s draft ATSE has been working closely with the
Scheme is no longer fit for purpose in report mentioned ATSE’s previous Department of Education, Skills and
its current form. The Scheme needs submission to the inquiry in September Employment (DESE) on the priorities
significant reform to keep pace with 2020, which highlights that current for a national University Research
gene technology advancements and water R&D funding levels are near Commercialisation Scheme, and
to address the policy problems outlined historic lows. also made a submission to the public
in the Consultation Regulation Impact consultation on the design of the
ATSE’s senior policy analyst Dr Harry
Statement (CRIS). Scheme.
Rolf has been engaging with the
ATSE recommended the Government Productivity Commission along with ATSE has long held the view that
pursue a risk-tiering model, categorising former Water Forum Chair Professor Rob Australia would benefit greatly from
all dealings on the basis of indicative Vertessy, giving evidence at a public a scheme that coordinates and
risk to enhance the sophistication of hearing for the inquiry. incentivises the translation of Australia’s
the regulatory system and enable world leading research for commercial
the Office of the Gene Technology benefit.
Regulator’s resources to be focussed Future Fuels Strategy:
on consideration of the highest risk However, a scheme that focuses on
Discussion Paper universities alone is unlikely to be
dealings.
April 2021 effective as they are not always well-
Adopting the risk-proportionate model ATSE’s vision is for clean, affordable and equipped to judge the relative likelihood
will allow greater flexibility and ensure reliable future fuels to power Australia to of commercial success for a piece of
the Gene Technology Scheme is better support us to reach net zero emissions work. To be successful, the scheme must
positioned for emerging developments by no later than 2050, at acceptable include industry and provide incentives
in gene technology across any cost and reliability. for investment.
application.
The Future Fuels Strategy sets out a ATSE released a media statement to
The Academies’ submission was picked positive approach to adopting low- raise awareness of these challenges and
up in an article by Research Professional emissions transport technologies at the submission, which was analysed at
in April. scale, and provides good oversight of length in the Campus Morning Mail.
MORE
READ
Read our recent submissions online under
/research-and-policy/publications
atse.org.au
ATSE’s President Professor Hugh Bradlow and CEO Kylie Walker were invited to appear before the House of
Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy to give evidence at an inquiry into the
two climate change bills.
IMPACT 2021 15
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringACADEMY NEWS
Setting a new standard
for Australia’s future digital
technology workforce
ATSE is taking the successful Computer Science
in Schools program to the next level.
Computer Science (CS) in Schools is Engineering is delighted to work with the CS in Schools was established under the
a free program that helps schools CS in Schools team to bring high-quality auspices of RMIT but is now transitioning
build a robust digital technology and free computer science education to ATSE which intends to aggressively
to Australian secondary schools,” grow the program nationally.
capability in their students, and
Ms Walker said.
aims to set the standard for Research undertaken by Deloitte and the
computer science education “The CS in Schools team’s expertise Australian Computer Society’s Digital
nationally. in the tech sector and education is Pulse indicates there will be over 100,000
a powerful match for ATSE’s strong new IT jobs in Australia by 2024, but there
Founded by Google Maps and eBay experience in delivering science, are only 7,000 university IT graduates
pioneer Hugh Williams, his partner and technology and engineering education every year.
business executive Selina Williams and and career pathways programs. Co-founder Hugh Williams said if Australia
education professional Kristy Kendall, is to meet that workforce need, it has to
it matches computing professionals “CS in Schools has already successfully
brought quality coding education to spark the interest of students earlier.
with teachers, helping them develop
their coding skills in the classroom and 40 schools and an estimated 9000 “If students don’t experience DigiTech
providing innovative lesson materials. students, with a particular focus on in their early secondary schooling, they
supporting girls and regional students. are less likely to choose it later,”
ATSE Chief Executive Kylie Walker said the Together we plan to bring the program to Professor Williams said.
program is a natural fit for the Academy. every secondary school in Australia,
“The Academy of Technology and to deliver DigiTech as a core subject.” “But many teachers don’t have the
background or confidence to teach it.
So that’s where CS in Schools can
make a difference.”
Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley
said fluency and familiarity with digital
technologies is currency in this new
economy.
“It’s critically important that young
people are taught computer science
skills if we are to fill the digital jobs of
the future,” Dr Foley said.
“ATSE has the national reach to ensure
coding can be offered in all secondary
schools, and in particular, those in
regional and remote locations.”
CS in Schools will continue to be run as
a free program and is available for the
public and private education sectors.
Above: (left to right) CS in Schools founders Kristy Kendall and Hugh Williams with ATSE CEO Kylie Walker
at the announcement on 21 April.
1616 IMPACT
IMPACT2021
2021
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringACADEMY NEWS
ATSE’s new hub in the
heart of the capital
The Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering has established
a presence in Canberra, unveiling a newly refurbished office in April.
The building in Forrest is a stone’s throw from politicians and policymakers
in Federal Parliament.
ATSE Chief Executive Officer Kylie Walker said a lot of thought had gone
into selecting the location of the office and how it would be designed.
“We kept as much as possible of the original infrastructure that was here,
not just because it saves costs, but also because it speaks to sustainability.
“We know, due to our Waste Report, that the building industry is one of
the biggest producers of landfill in Australia today, so we didn’t want to be
contributing to that as an Academy that is very proactively advocating for
a circular economy, a zero waste economy,” Ms Walker said.
The art on the walls, some of which is courtesy of an arrangement with
ArtBank, has been chosen to reflect Australia’s 60,000 years as a
technology leader.
The kitchen splashback is made of green ceramic tiles, invented by ATSE
Fellow Professor Veena Sahajwalla, and was featured in an Australian Story
episode about her. The tiles were made by recycling old mattresses and
fabrics and combining them with glass.
Ms Walker said the office is also designed to be a welcoming space for
Fellows.
“The Academy is now at a place where we are working very much as a
partnership team between the Fellowship and the Secretariat, so we wanted
to have a space where Fellows can come and meet. We can have seminars,
we can invite guests.”
ATSE has retained its presence in Melbourne, with the St Kilda Road office
undergoing a refresh.
IMPACT 2021 17
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringACADEMY NEWS
Budget a missed opportunity New international prize for ATSE congratulates new Chief
for climate global communicators Scientist and welcomes newest
ATSE said the 2021 Federal Budget The International Council of Academies board member
was a missed opportunity for Australia of Engineering and Technological ATSE applauded the appointment of
to become a global clean energy Sciences (CAETS), of which the ATSE is a Dr Cathy Foley AO FTSE FAA as Chief
powerhouse. CEO Kylie Walker said the founding member, has established two Scientist of Australia. An outgoing
Budget contains millions of dollars in annual Communications Prizes to find member of the ATSE’s board, Dr Foley
new funding for fossil fuel industries, the most compelling technological and received the prestigious Clunies Ross
such as gas and oil, but very little to engineering innovations, communicated Award in 2015 for her pioneering work
support technologies that could see in a way to inspire the public and in the field of mineral exploration.
Australia become a leader in exporting aspiring young technologists.
its sunshine. Kylie Walker said Cathy Foley is an
Australian technological scientists and excellent choice to advocate for
“Most of the investment to address engineers were encouraged to submit Australian science and to focus
climate change is targeted at short videos on past or current ground- national thinking.
adaptation strategies, which are clearly breaking work which is making an
necessary. But we would have liked to impact on society and the economy. “Dr Foley has made significant
have seen at least an equal amount contributions to the scientific
invested in accelerating and leading The prize aims to champion STEM community through her research and
Australia’s transition to a low emissions leaders who educate the general public through her leadership of professional
economy.” on the important role of technology scientific organisations, including as a
and engineering, and inspire students member of the ATSE Board and former
The budget’s record $10 billion to consider careers in those fields. There President of Science & Technology
infrastructure spend has a clear are two categories for the prize for Australia,” Ms Walker said.
focus on roads upgrades, yet there is candidates at different stages of their
a lack of support for electric vehicle careers: Engineering Success Stories “Dr Foley is also a strong champion
infrastructure. and High Potential Innovations. for women in STEM and we hope her
appointment inspires a new generation
In other Budget measures, ATSE The Academy will adjudicate Australian to consider careers in science,
welcomes the $42.4 million set aside entries and submit the best videos technology and engineering.”
to co-fund scholarships for more against those from international CAETS
than 230 women to pursue STEM PhD member academies. The Academy also acknowledged the
qualifications. outgoing Chief Scientist, former ATSE
ATSE President Hugh Bradlow said it’s President Dr Alan Finkel AO FTSE FAA.
“Increasing investment in STEM important for people working in the
education and research translation fields of technology and engineering to “Dr Finkel has worked tirelessly to inspire
will strengthen Australia’s capacity to address general audiences in a simple young people to pursue their curiosity
rebuild after COVID and to respond to and engaging manner. through STEM, and has been a strong
the challenges of climate change. and steady advocate for evidence-
“Technology and engineering make a based policy and decision-making,”
“We also welcome measures to support positive impact on society and have Ms Walker said.
the commercialisation of critical the ability to solve real-world problems,”
research through a lower tax rate Professor Bradlow said. ATSE has selected Dr Meera Verma
on income earned from patents in FTSE to join its board as a Director to
the medical and biotech sectors. We “Australia’s technologists and engineers fill the vacancy created by Dr Foley’s
encourage the Government to expand are doing incredible, innovative work, resignation.
its patent box scheme to include the but this is sometimes poorly understood
because it has not been explained in Dr Verma is a professional executive
clean energy sector as soon as possible.”
terms everyone can understand. with experience spanning the global
Ms Walker said.
healthcare, product development and
Ms Walker appeared on ABC News 24 “ATSE hopes this competition will biotechnology delivery industries. She
to discuss the budget on 12 May encourage technological scientists and is currently running a strategic and
(pictured above). engineers in Australia to not only think project consulting firm for small to
about their innovations but also how medium sized technology-development
they are communicated.” companies.
18 IMPACT 2021
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringACADEMY NEWS
IMNIS expands to new areas of STEM Academies strengthen Climate change action critical
health and medical research regional relationships for Australia’s survival
Five outstanding PhD students in the ATSE and the ASEAN Academy of ATSE says a new report on the risk and
growth areas of regenerative medicine, Engineering and Technology (AAET) consequences of three degrees of global
gene and cell therapy and digital health have entered into a memorandum warming is clear evidence that Australia
technologies have been partnered with of understanding to strengthen needs to act on climate change, and
high-calibre mentors to develop their collaboration between the two now.
career pathways. Academies.
The report by the Australian Academy
ATSE partnered with industry growth ATSE President Professor Hugh Bradlow of Science found that total emission
centre MTPConnect to extend our said the signing is an important reduction targets currently pledged
Industry Mentoring Network in STEM occasion. “We live in a time of great peril through the Paris Agreement – even
(IMNIS) program through the Researcher in the sense that we’ve seen in the last if implemented on time – will still see
Exchange and Development in Industry few years a rise in nationalism, a retreat average global surface temperatures
(REDI) initiative. of globalism, and I think it’s extremely rise by three degrees by 2100.
important that we as scientists and
ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said expanding engineers get together and collaborate That result would have a devastating
IMNIS to support growth areas in the across the world,” he said. impact on Australia’s ecology and
health and medical research sector economy, as well as on the health
will give PhD graduates a knowledge “It’s a global world with global problems and wellbeing of the population.
commercialisation mindset. that we need to solve together.” AAET
President Dr Chuah Hean Teik said. The Academy of Science’s report
“The IMNIS program connects students recommends that the Australian
and early-stage postdoctoral fellows The memorandum supports Government revisit its emission
with industry leaders and decision- collaboration between the two reduction commitments and provide
makers, which opens the door to a Academies to: leadership to ensure the world is placed
broader range of potential careers to • promote engineering and technology on a safer climate trajectory. The
which they otherwise would not have education, research and industrial evidence is clear that extreme weather
had exposure. collaboration between ASEAN events will increase in frequency as
countries and Australia the planet warms.
“Opening up a broad range of career
pathways in these specialised • promote skills and workforce “The only way to reduce the risk of
health and medical fields will provide development in the management, these unpredictable and dangerous
enormous benefit, not just for the innovation and development of outcomes is for a substantial reduction
graduates, but also to society.” engineering, science and technology in the emission of greenhouse gases
in ASEAN and Australia into the atmosphere,” said ATSE CEO
MTPConnect Managing Director • nurture an innovation culture within Kylie Walker.
and CEO Dr Dan Grant said the REDI ASEAN and Australian communities,
initiative is supporting expansion of especially amongst younger people “Reaching net zero emissions by mid-
proven programs like IMNIS to develop century is an absolute minimum if
an industry-ready workforce with the • strengthen relationships and we are to avoid the worst impacts
skills necessary to keep pace with a cooperation between scientists, of climate change.”
rapidly changing sector. engineers and technologists in
ASEAN and Australia ATSE agrees with the Academy of
“As we continue to push the frontiers • exchange information and Science that this must be a whole-of-
of medical research, and new fields publications for mutual benefit. economy effort which encompasses
develop such as regenerative medicine, electricity generation, transport,
we need to prioritise skills development Professor Bradlow said Australia and industry and agriculture. As well as
by attracting, building and retaining ASEAN countries face similar challenges mitigating the effects of climate
world-class talent in these innovation in areas such as climate and energy, change, this transition will create
areas.” Dr Grant said. waste and resource recovery, health enormous opportunity for Australia
and medical digitisation and agrifood in clean, green industry.
sustainability. You can watch video of
the signing ceremony at
atse.org.au/AAET-mou
IMPACT 2021 19
Australian Academy of Technology & EngineeringYou can also read
