Newly-appointed chief scientist Alan Finkel believes nuclear power should be "absolutely considered" to ensure future energy generation with zero emissions.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the new appointment on Tuesday, agreeing that nuclear power was low emissions but warning it's "hugely expensive" to construct and has other environmental issues.
Dr Finkel, who has previously spruiked the benefits of nuclear power, told reporters in Canberra solar and wind energy could be "massively viable" with the right storage technology but nuclear should also be considered.
'Thrilled'
Dr Finkel, who is also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, is currently the Monash University chancellor and the president of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
He will replace the current Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb, who has had the role since 2011, and said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to take on the role.
“My personal experience across research, business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education will guide my ability to formulate relevant advice,” Dr Finkel said.
“We exist in a competitive international environment and to compete effectively, business needs science, science needs business, [and] Australia needs both.”
Industry, Innovation and Science Minister, Christopher Pyne, said Dr Finkel was selected from a high calibre international field.
"He is a person of the highest intelligence, integrity and imagination"
“Dr Finkel is renowned for his outstanding research, industrial and entrepreneurial achievements in Australia and overseas, his leadership and service in the university and education sector, the academies and national science bodies, and his experience in providing high-quality expert advice to government,” Mr Pyne said.
“His will be a vital role in shaping Australia’s economic future and leading our national conversation on science, innovation and commercialisation across the research, industry and education sectors and with the wider community.”
The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Andrew Holmes, said Dr Finkel was an excellent choice for the position.
"I’m confident he will speak strongly and passionately on behalf of Australian science, particularly in his advice to government," he said.
Emeritus Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne, Sir Gustav Nossal, said Dr Finkel was "an extraordinary leader".
"He has proven himself in personal scientific research," he said.
"He has succeeded in business in competitive fields. He has worked for the public good, most notably in his Presidency of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
"He has been unbelievably generous in philanthropy, supporting exciting causes. He has shown leadership in the University world. He is a scientific publisher of note. Beyond all this, he is a person of the highest intelligence, integrity and imagination."
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research at the University of South Australia Professor Tanya Monro said "It's wonderful to have a Chief Scientist who is an entrepreneur and who understands on a personal level what it takes to create value from pioneering science and engineering".
Dr Finkel will provide independent advice to the government on science, innovation and commercialisation and will work to lift the profile of Australian science at home and abroad.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said science and innovation were at the centre of the Government’s agenda and key to Australia remaining a prosperous, first world economy.
Mr Pyne praised Professor Chubb, who will complete his stint as Chief Scientist at the end of this year, for his achievements in the role.
“Professor Ian Chubb has made an incredible contribution to science in Australia and we thank and commend him on his outstanding contribution as Australian Chief Scientist and also as an eminent university administrator and academic over the course of his distinguished career,” he said.
For more information, including Dr Finkel’s biography and information about the role of the Chief Scientist visit science.gov.au.
