The Tasmanian Independent Science Council

Ms WEBB (Nelson) – Mr President, this morning I rise to highlight the Tasmanian Independent Science Council and the laudable work it does as a source of independent research analysis and advice, seeking to bridge the gap between science and public policy by providing a sound evidence base to better empower decision-makers.  I am pleased to be joined in the Chamber today by a number of members of the Tasmanian Independent Science Council and I also acknowledge the many others who were unable to be here.

The Tasmanian Independent Science Council is composed of a diverse group of scientists and professionals with decades of experience.  The expertise of members spans a broad range of areas in the realms of science, policy and communication.  These areas include geography, environmental science, geology, climate change, ecology, oceanography, marine science, agroecology, environmental law and economics, just to mention a few.  The council members seek to contribute to policy discussions and the broader public discourse by providing sound input, grounded in scientific rigour and concern for the long-term health of Tasmania’s critical environments, with a focus on forests and fires, fresh water and oceans.

We are fortunate to have considerable expertise within government departments, working under the direction of the government of the day to develop public policy and progress legislation to this parliament to give effect to government policy.  However, we are also privileged to have the considerable expert knowledge and vast experience present in our community.  

It is vital to the health of our state and its democracy that subject matter expertise is brought to bear from all directions in contributing to the development of good, robust public policy.  How does the Tasmanian Independent Science Council contribute, I hear you ask, Mr President?  Let me count some of the ways.  The council produces scientific reports and papers.  It makes submissions to policy and legislative processes.  It holds public events and educational opportunities and contributes to media commentary and information.  I will mention just some of the examples of contributions from the council in recent times.

It is no secret to members in this place that I have been vocal in recent times regarding the state’s inability to deliver a State of the Environment Report since 2009.  While recently I have been critical in this place, you can imagine the long-standing disappointment and frustration with the Tasmanian scientific community focused on the health of our environment at its absence.  As a response to this, a number of council members have rolled up their sleeves to fill the gap left by the long-overdue State of the Environment Report.  They have sought to obtain, analyse and report on valuable environmental data, data which should be compiled and published by the Government as a matter of course.  For example, Dr Christine Coughanowr published in 2021 a report titled The State of Tasmania’s Fresh Water and I understand she is now working on a follow-up report focused on water use in the state.

Another council member, Dr Eric Woehler OAM, who many will know here as our local pre-eminent sea and shore bird ecologist, is currently developing a report in conjunction with the Australian Coastal Society to fill further gaps from the missing State of Environment reports.  I am sure it will come as no surprise that the recent direction from the minister for Planning to the Tasmanian Planning Commission to finally undertake and release a State of the Environment Report 2024 was welcomed as a development in the eyes of the council.  I know the council members will also be keenly interested in the scope and methodology to be adopted for this report and to understand the basis on which it will be the framework for future policy development in Tasmania to which they can contribute.

On a topic close to home, I note a number of the council members made substantial individual contributions to the recent Fin Fish Farming in Tasmania Inquiry, for example, which I had the pleasure of chairing.  I thoroughly appreciated the perspective and scientific rigour of members’ submissions to the inquiry and believe they are a valuable addition to the broad evidence taken and considered.

The final example I will highlight of an important contribution to policy discourse and development from the council is a recent one that members will be familiar with.  Council member John Church OA, alongside others from Climate Tasmania, was instrumental in advocating for evidence-based improvements to the recently debated update to the Climate Change Act.  I am sure many members here interacted directly with John or indirectly with his work in preparation for this recent debate.

The instances of the council’s contribution to public policy discourse and development is considerable and is made freely available on the council’s website.  What is clear to me through engagement with various members on a range of matters is the council makes an important and tangible contribution to scientific knowledge and provides an invaluable evidence-base on many matters relating to our state’s environment.  This generously provided independent knowledge and evidence is something that we, as legislators, can confidently rely upon.

The council’s mission, centred on advocating for a sustainable and healthy Tasmanian environment for all Tasmanians and generations to come, is a worthy one.  The council has a number of projects and reports currently in the works and continues to engage on issues relevant to its mission.  Currently, these works include work on the EPBC Act review, Tasmanian planning laws, native forest biomass burning, bushfires, nature restoration, threatened species and coal mines in Tasmania, to name a few.

I hope members will join me in celebrating the value added to public policy discourse and debate by the Tasmanian Independent Science Council which seeks to bridge that gap between industry, academia and governments in the development of excellent public policy.  I commend and thank the council and its members for their excellent ongoing work, fuelled not only by high level expertise but also by a passionate commitment to our state, its people and its natural environment.

Learn more about the Tasmanian Independent Science Council.

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