Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
For the first time since 1931, Australia does not have a science minister.
The Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott announced today during his cabinet unveiling that the science portfolio would be shared between the Industry and Education ministries.
"Science, as in the CSIRO, will be with industry," Mr Abbott said during the press conference, which means the minister overseeing the sciences will be Ian McFarlane.
Laborite Jack Holloway was the first Australian minister to hold a science portfolio when he was appointed assistant minister for industry, council for scientific and industrial research in 1931.
The science portfolio - though it took different forms - was held by more than 30 ministers both Labor and Liberal up until today when it was abolished by Mr Abbott.
Australian scientists say they are "confused and disappointed" by the fact that there is no science minister in the new cabinet.
more
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/sci-tech/tony-abbott-has-not-included-a-science-minister-in-new-cabinet/story-fni0c0qs-1226720375674