Oceanographer Tony Haymet appointed chief scientist


Joseph Brookes
Senior Reporter

Marine scientist and entrepreneur Professor Tony Haymet has been appointed Australia’s next chief scientist, beginning his tenure on Tuesday with an openness to nuclear power and a message to move quickly on artificial intelligence.

Professor Haymet’s willingness to explore nuclear power was quickly checked by Science minister Ed Husic, however, who poured cold water on a shift away from renewables and the “horrendous” cost it comes with.

The appointment has been welcomed by science groups with the hope a new top advisor with a background in climate and strong international ties will bring a new perspective amid policy churn.

Australia’s new chief scientist Professor Tony Haymet began his research career in the US where he co-founded an ocean robotics company. Image: Condensed Matter Physics

Born and raised in Sydney, Professor Haymet has completed much of his research and commercialisation in the US but has also headed up marine and atmospheric programs at the CSIRO.

He is a former director and vice-chancellor emeritus at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, also worked at the Minderoo Foundation, and co-founded a company that manufactures in-ocean robots.

As Australia’s chief scientists, Professor Haymet will provide authoritative, independent scientific advice to the government, and will be able to commission work independently as the executive officer of the National Science and Technology Council.

Professor Haymet was appointed with a three-year term and replaces Dr Cathey Foley, a well-regarded physicist who helped launch Australia’s quantum push and embed more scientific advice in policy making. He is Australia’s 10th chief scientist.

The new chief scientist reportedly threw his weight behind artificial intelligence and said he will be monitoring the development of not-yet-available small modular nuclear reactors that the federal Opposition wants to build.

Industry and Science minister Ed Husic, who appointed Professor Haymett to the role, responded to the comments by saying all scientist should “maintain curiosity”. But he poured cold water on any change in energy policy.

“We’ve indicated as a government the quickest way to increase the generation of electricity in this country – the quickest [and] the cheapest – is renewables,” Mr Husic told the ABC on Tuesday.

“We’re not on board with rolling out nuclear power.”

Mr Husic said the cost of nuclear would be “horrendous”.

The Opposition has pushed for nuclear power with modelling that claims it can be cheaper than the government’s renewables plan under scenarios with less energy requirements. CSIRO modelling under consistent scenarios has found nuclear is twice as expensive as renewables and could not be fully operating until the 2040s.

In an interview with the Australian Financial Review, Professor Haymet said Australia must be “open to any form of energy” as demand increases with the rise of things like AI.

He reportedly said Australia can capitalise on the AI boom with smart policy and renewable energy.

Professor Haymet arrives amid a root and branch review of Australia’s research and development system, landmark reforms to higher education, new national science priorities, and as s new strategic lens is applied to technologies like quantum and artificial intelligence.

Science and Technology Australia CEO Ryan Winn said Professor Haymet’s experience with international institutions and groups like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and World Economic Forum will help the government “position Australia on the global stage”.

“Our planet faces significant challenges from climate change, and Emeritus Professor Haymet brings globally recognised leadership to help Australia navigate those challenges,” Mr Winn said.

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