World-leading oceanographer, chemist and entrepreneur Tony Haymet is Australia’s next Chief Scientist.
Federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said Emeritus Professor Haymet was previously Chair of the Antarctic Science Foundation and Chair of the ATSE Climate Change Working Group.
Minister Husic said he was a Distinguished Professor, Director and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego and had held senior roles in the CSIRO as well as founding a company that manufactures in-ocean robots.
“He is the author of 177 peer-reviewed publications and was the Chair of the Oceans Council at the World Economic Forum in 2012-13,” he said.
“With a scientific background spanning several disciplines, along with the commercial runs on the board, Tony’s lived and breathed the value of scientific collaboration.”
Minister Husic said the role of Australia’s Chief Scientist was to provide authoritative, independent scientific advice to government, champion Australia’s science and research system and contribute to improving our scientific capability.
Professor Haymet said throughout his term he would be emphasising the importance of measurements, data and scientific facts.
“My role is to support the scientists out on the farms, the deserts and oceans – it’s measuring what’s happening to our land, water and atmosphere,” he said.
“Another thing I learnt from working across the globe, is that kilo for kilo Australian scientists and engineers match it with the very best in the world.”
