Science and technology can play an increasing role in reversing the drain of jobs and industries away from the bush, but only if research continues to win the support of Government. Australian science and technology supports industries in the bush such as wine, mining, aquaculture and agriculture.
Research institutions contribute to community life in rural areas.
Dr Baker said research organisations had mixed fortunes under recent Governments, with cutbacks and closures affecting rural and regional areas. Governments had tended to overlook the significant long-term returns that such investment offered. But we need to keep working to hold these valuable markets, and create new products for niche export markets. Native crops like acacia seeds are virtually untapped, and high-quality fruit exports can fill niche markets in Asia. Sustainable development is the key phrase - we have create new and better products, but in a way which preserves our unique environment.