Last night at Parliament House, Science & Technology Australia joined Engineers Australia, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE), Consult Australia, and the Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) for the launch of the new Parliamentary Friends of Engineering.
This group will bring together parliamentarians, engineers, universities, research organisations, and industry leaders to showcase the vital role engineering plays in nation-building, infrastructure, energy, and innovation.
The event was officially launched by the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres. In his speech, Senator Ayres reflected on the roots and broad impact of Australian engineering.
"The expertise and the capabilities, the enthusiasm, the skills of Australian engineers are absolutely fundamental to solving every big national challenge that we have in front of us. All of them, all of the big national challenges engage the science and the skills of Australian engineering, at the intersection of science, research, technology and industry."
He also emphasised the diversity of the profession and its crucial role in inspiring the next generation.
"More than half of our engineers are born overseas. Many of them trained overseas […] It's such a versatile discipline. And we need to engage all of us, our great multicultural community of engineers. Girls and boys at school, who are studying engineering now and the great national endeavours that we have in front of us […] I want the proposition for girls and boys at school to be a nation-building proposition."
Science & Technology Australia CEO Ryan Winn said the launch marked a milestone moment for the sector.
"Australia's engineers are building the future the country wants and needs – in everything from large-scale infrastructure to quantum computing and all points between."
"Science & Technology Australia is pleased to be a partner in the Parliamentary Friends of Engineering group, to ensure the voices, achievements, and needs of engineering are being discussed at the highest level. It also creates a platform for engagement that is essential to meet the urgent need to grow the country's engineering workforce."
The launch was attended by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, alongside representatives from across the engineering and science community.
Science & Technology Australia looks forward to working closely with our partners through the Parliamentary Friends of Engineering to help ensure engineering expertise informs Australia's future prosperity and resilience.
