Last week, we heard announcements from the major parties around the environment, equity in STEM and defence.

Below we have included relevant links for new announcements and added them to our running tally on our website (accessible by logging on to our members' section). You'll also find key stories and interviews to provide some broader context for how science is being framed in each of the parties' campaigns.

Please also help us spread the word about science, technology and their role in Australia's future - a short clip on science and art conservation is our latest feature (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn). A new case study will be released each week, shared online using #SolveitwithScience. 

Please find a range of relevant links below, and be in touch if we can support your work to get science on the agenda during the Federal Election.

Kind regards,

Kylie Walker
CEO
Science and Technology Australia

Current Election Commitments:

Coalition

• $30m for the Tasmanian Defence Innovation and Design Precinct
• $3.7m to improve the health of the SA Torrens River
• A multidisciplinary hub for sports research will be established in Melbourne worth $15m
• $960,000 for intensive research into new 4D diagnostic technology

Labor

•  $10m to boost CSIRO Climate Science
• Creation of Australia’s first National Evaluation Framework for Girls and Women in STEM initiatives, establish a National Women in Science Day, and fund SAGE
• A 5-point plan to improve the NBN

Information resources:

• The Definitive Candidate list (accurate as of 25/04)
• Antony Green’s Swing Calculator
• Antony Green’s Election Coverage
• AEC election Timetable
• The Tally Room

Key Stories and Interviews:

• Scott Morison’s Election Campaign Launch
• Bill Shorten’s Election Campaign Launch
• Michael McCormack’s Election Campaign Launch
• Richard Di Natale’s Election Campaign Launch
• The SBS has published a comparison of education policy
• The ABC has published a comparison of Climate Change Policy
• The first leaders' debate will be held in Perth and broadcast tonight on Channel 7Two at 7pm AEST (a second debate is scheduled to be held by Sky News)

Latest Polls:

• Newspoll: 29^th April. Coalition-49, ALP-51 (updated)
• Galaxy Poll: 27^th April. Coalition-48, ALP-52 (updated)
• Roy Morgan: 24^th April. Coalition-49, ALP-51 (updated)
• Essential: 9^th April. Coalition-48, ALP-52
• Fairfax Ipsos: 7^th April. Coalition-47, ALP-53

STA Resources for members

• A breakdown of current and past STEM policy from the major parties