Science & Technology Australia - A Proud History

The CSIRO Staff Association is a member of Science and Technology Australia. STA (formerly FASTS) is an energetic representative of 60,000 working scientists and technologists, and promotes their views on a wide range of policy issues to Government, industry and the community.

The Federation was formed in late 1985, as a reaction to the 1984 Federal Budget, which made substantial cuts to funding for science. Its formation followed Barry Jones’ infamous accusation that the S&T community was “wimpish” in its lobbying and did not provide him with sufficient muscle in his dealings with cabinet as Minister for Science.

The societies which make up STA represent the professional interests of scientists and technologists in Australia. Other members include organisations such as the Australian Neuroscience Society, Australian Society for Biophysics, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Australian Council of Deans of Science and the Women in Science Enquiry Network.

Their President is an ex officio member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Engineering Council (PMSEIC), and this allows FASTS to contribute to discussions at the highest levels in policy-making in Australia.

STA has three formal objectives:

to encourage scientific dialogue between industry, government, and the S&T community;
to promote public understanding of science; and
to foster close relations between the societies

Further information about STA can be viewed on the website at scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au