Science and technology is an integral part of modern society. The Democratic Labor Party supports the growth of science and technology in Australia to benefit all Australians.
The DLP will continue traditional support and promote the growth of:
- Antarctic science, Australia’s Antarctic bases and further the research done there.
- The Australian Space Research Program, to sponsor the growth of Space Industries and other high tech industries.
- Research in nuclear fusion and thorium to provide energy.
- Energy of homes and industry by the use of coal, natural gas, nuclear (uranium fuelled fission and when available fusion) and alternatives sources such as thorium solar and others using various technologies.
- Encouragement of Science Education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
- Improving communications and internet services access for all Australians whether in the city or the bush.
The DLP will seek to improve funding for:
- The CSIRO, which should also be de-politicised. The CSIRO will help to improve the efficiency of Australian industries through innovative research without being tied to predetermined industry outcomes, which promotes bad science. Allow the CSIRO to produce scientifically informative videos; as was done for the General Public a few decades ago. This could encourage young Australians to take up science as a career. The DLP by improved funding will encourage the CSIRO through greater self management of its own affairs to help the industries both in the city and on the land to prosper.
- The DSTO (Defence Science and Technology Organisation).
- Science and technology research in Australian universities with a proviso that the lead persons in a funded research project must be Australian citizens and residing in Australia.
- Astronomical research – for facilities and research in Australia and for Australia’s part in Antarctic and overseas facilities in which Australia owns as share.
The DLP supports efforts to secure water for Australia’s growing population with additional dams and desalination plants that are thoughtfully located. However, the DLP does not support recycled water or “H-poo-O” for drinking purposes due to potential health risks; especially when systems can breakdown or people forget/neglect to do their job properly. Further, the DLP does not support the compulsory additives to drinking water such as fluoride – this should be determined by citizens.
The DLP does not support the so called “global warming” argument, as adequate, accurate scientific data does not exist to support such a contention on a global scale. The DLP asserts that this spurious argument has been used to introduce a Carbon Tax and Carbon Trading Scheme which is a bold “smoke” screen for yet another tax. Unsound science is now being used to invent taxes – this cannot be supported.