[1] There are 22 National Committees which provide a forum to discuss issues relevant to their disciplines, help set future research directions and support Australian science internationally.
[2] The ‘decadal plans’ developed by the National Committees seek input from across government, industry, academia and the education sector to identify the future needs of each discipline and outline priorities for investment over the next 10 years.
The plans make recommendations about setting research priorities and directions, infrastructure, workforce capability, educational reform, engagement with industry and the international community as well as enhanced outreach.
[3] The Astronomy decadal plan, New Horizons, recommended that Australia bid to host the world’s largest radio telescope – the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
[5] Most recently, the Federal government announced funding for a further three decadal plans for Chemistry[permanent dead link], Agricultural Science and Earth systems.