Oceanographer, chemist and entrepreneur, Emeritus Professor Tony Haymet, has been appointed Australia’s tenth Chief Scientist, effective 28 January. He replaces Dr Cathy Foley, who recently finished her four-year term.
Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, said Haymet’s diverse scientific background and commercial experience will make him a powerful advocate for Australia’s world-class science and research community.
The role of Australia’s Chief Scientist is to provide authoritative, independent scientific advice to the government, champion Australia’s science and research system and contribute to improving scientific capability.
With the release of the government’s new National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities in August 2024, Haymet will be leading the next stage of the long-term vision for Australia’s science and research system, based on these priorities.
Prior to his appointment, Haymet was Chair of the Antarctic Science Foundation and Chair of the ATSE Climate Change Working Group. He is a distinguished professor, director and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
The author of 177 peer-reviewed publications, Haymet has also held senior roles in the CSIRO and is the founder of a company that manufactures in-ocean robots. His term as Chief Scientist will be three years.
At the press conference announcing Haymet’s appointment yesterday (28 January), he touched on artificial intelligence, renewable energy, climate change and data security as key challenges currently facing the nation.
“I’m delighted to be appointed as the new Chief Scientist of Australia, it’s the role of a lifetime and I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” said Haymet.
“Throughout my term I will be emphasising the importance of measurements, of 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.”
