The Australian Industry Group welcomes the appointment of Professor Tony Haymet as Australia's new chief scientist at a time when the nexus between science, business and our economy has never been more important.
"Professor Haymet's appointment comes at a critical time when Australia is working through the core challenges of digitalisation, decarbonisation and diversification in the face of economic constraints and significant geo-political risk. His insights and counsel over the next three years will be important to the considerations of how we respond to what are potentially transformative challenges," said Innes Willox, the chief executive of the national employer association The Australian Industry Group.
"Professor Haymet's expertise on energy and climate matters will be especially important as Australia continues to work through a prolonged energy transition, including the current debate on future energy sources. His longstanding work measuring the impact of carbon emissions, particularly on ocean temperatures, makes him uniquely qualified to meaningfully contribute to the debate.
"The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its applications and governance will also be a critical issue for Australian business and regulators in the coming years. Professor Haymet can be expected to play a key role in its development in Australia.
"As we need to upskill our current and future workforce to meet the challenges of an economy in transition, driven by the needs of decarbonisation and digitalisation, Professor Haymet's perspectives on developing the education system and curriculum at school and university level will also be sought.
"The Australian Industry Group first brought Professor Haymet to Australia from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in 2009 to discuss climate change issues with our members at a time when the debate was in a far different place to where it is today. His calm, sober and rational analysis stood out at a time of great conjecture and uncertainty.
"Those attributes will stand him in great stead at a time when many of the transformative challenges we face require rigorous scientific input. Australian industry looks forward to working with him," Mr Willox said.
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