Australia’s science community descended on Parliament House in Canberra in February for the annual Science Meets Parliament, Australia’s premier initiative for fostering meaningful connections between the STEM sector and policymakers.
NATA had the privilege of being part of Science Meets Parliament 2025, an initiative of Science Technology Australia, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary.
As a sponsor of this significant event, NATA’s involvement underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration between the scientific community and policymakers and with the event playing a vital role in integrating STEM expertise into national service.
Across two days Science Meets Parliament featured a comprehensive training program designed to strengthen relationships between federal Parliamentarians and professionals in science and technology.
NATA’s Head of Strategic Engagement & Communications, Brendon Moo, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Brett Hyland and Deputy Sector Manager Legal and Clinical, Gillian Treloar joined more than 300 participants gaining valuable insights into effective engagement strategies with policymakers as well as meeting federal Parliamentarians and connecting with leading experts in science and technology.
The agenda included a welcome reception, Parliamentary forum, a national gala dinner attended by politicians and the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, a televised address at the National Press Club with special guest speaker, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, and intimate meetings with Parliamentarians in small group settings.
Attending Science Meets Parliament offered numerous benefits for NATA including invaluable networking, allowing attendees to forge new connections and strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders as well as staying abreast of emerging trends and challenges within the scientific landscape that are advancing innovation and public policy.
Furthermore, NATA’s participation enabled us to contribute to critical discussions on the future direction of science policy in Australia and to advocate for the importance of conformity infrastructure and the role of accreditation in supporting robust scientific practice.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said it best when addressing the gala dinner: “I want to live in a country where our healthcare, our energy sources, planet management, education and collective wellbeing are all guided by science, by evidence.
“Australians must be able to trust the science and the institutions that produce it. We must be able to have confidence in integrity, in the truth of their findings and in the strength of the bridges between the laboratories and the rest of our lives.
“So as we ponder the possibilities of AI and quantum computing, the shape of the next pandemic, the security of our region, the impacts of climate change on food and water security and biodiversity and weather, we look to our science agencies, our scientists and our research institutions, have cultural institutions and collecting institutions to lead.”
NATA is also excited to announce that Science Technology Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Winn, will speak at Accreditation Matters 2025 in Sydney in July.
