The far-reaching consequences of the ministerial powers in an emergency were not debated by the parliament, and I challenge the assumption that they were even understood by members when they voted on this legislation in 2016. #auspol As Justice Jackson observed, emergency powers can be misused. All you need is a government that can make a plausible claim of emergency, whether one exists or not.

That’s why parliamentary scrutiny is so important, to test such claims at the time they are actually made #auspol

There has recently been controversy over extent of Gov Emergency Power under biosecurity laws. Again, failure of parliament to scrutinise these laws when they were introduced, has become all too apparent. #auspol When they were debated, these bills were seen as agricultural matters, not matters of human health and civil liberties. #auspol

What is all too apparent, is that the Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020 contains within it, a blatant attempt to obscure this unnecessary and illogical grab for power.

This is a deliberate strategy, not a drafting mistake #auspol This is a matter that should concern all Australian citizens, especially those concerned with civil liberties and human rights.

On 3 September 2020, the Minster for Defence presented a new bill, the Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020. #auspol Hidden in the fine print of an otherwise unremarkable bill giving legal protection to ADF personnel following lawful instructions while on service, is an extraordinary extension of emergency Commonwealth powers. #auspol

ALL international agreements to be vetted by DFAT and the spooks? Is this serious or just another Scomo thought bubble to get the heat off aged care? What is happening with the Cabinet if these ideas are run though journalists as if it has no impact on our international relations How many public servants and lawyers do they think it is going to take to supervise and review all organisations who have international agreements? Or are we just going to veto agreements with groups that Mr Murdoch doesn’t like?

This country needs to get serious about planning for economic recovery, but all the Morrison Government can offer are grim slogans and a Johnny-come-lately discovery of the importance of manufacturing.
Where are the Gov's plans for industry sectors? Where is its energy plan? Half-baked leaks to Murdoch mouth pieces do not make a plan. Some try to present economic development and action on climate change as alternative choices. That is a false dichotomy.

While the Gov talks big on sovereign capabilities and local manufacturing @MonashUni scientists are frustrated that they will have to go off shore to manufacture if their vaccine is successful. Which will only see Australians put further down the queue to actually get a vaccine. smh.com.au/business/compa…

At a time when everyone is looking to research to solve the pandemic our national research funding model in Australia has collapsed. This uncertainty will continue well into next year with one exception, there will be no extra money. #research #R&D The government has no solutions other than to get the mirror out and have a good look into the problem. The Research Sustainability Working Group of eight Vice-Chancellors appointed by the Minister will not report until after this years Budget.

Well done on using a major diplomatic summit to prise much neded funding for #space, #science and research out of the Morrison government. More of these sort of investments are needed to turn around the alarming decline in Australia's R&D performance #auspol

https://twitter.com/AusSpaceAgency/status/1175560091493421059

These kind of investments have a massive payoff for jobs, and industrial opportunities across the whole economy. Participation in international space missions will give Australians access to he latest technology and will have unforseen positive spinoffs #auspol

Words cannot adequately describe how horrific this is. #Science flourishes in a intellectual environment uninhimbered from government or bureaucratic interference. The last thing we need is bureaucrats or politicians pronouncing judgements on research #auspol

https://twitter.com/CanberraCamper/status/1172670666388041728

Our nation is suffering from drought. The health of the Great Barrier Reef has been downgraded by @gbrmarinepark. Rather than deal with these issues, right wing populists who have infiltrated conservative parties blame #science & research. #spin #distraction #auspol

Six long years of cuts and neglect of science and research has consequences. Speeches won’t turn this around, what this nation needs is policy backed with real investments from govt. Drop the flawed R&D tax changes which punish companies that do R&D not encourage it #auspol

https://twitter.com/smh/status/1165977577695174656

Check out the latest @OECD figures on R&D here and you will see how AUSTRALIA lags behind our competitors. oecd.org/innovation/inn… #auspol

Today in @AuSenate hearings into the govt attempt to repeal the medevac laws. First up is @amapresident, @drkerrynphelps, @NeelaJan, @sara_townend followed by @RACGP @TheRACP @RANZCP. @AustralianLabor position on this Bill is to oppose. #auspol
theguardian.com/australia-news… @AuSenate @amapresident @drkerrynphelps @NeelaJan @sara_townend @RACGP @TheRACP @RANZCP @AustralianLabor Speaking right now is @amapresident on medevac laws. Has just told us that Medevac is working well. #auspol
theguardian.com/australia-news…

Another day another scare. Time and time again those who want to extend the creeping influence of the security agencies over academic activity never waste an opportunity to beat up a story #auspol afr.com/politics/feder… I have spent the last two years asking all our agencies - security and education- to point us to the evidence. And no one can point to a single incident #auspol theguardian.com/australia-news…

Another day in the nation’s capital looking at more legislation. First up @thelawcouncil @KaldorCentre #auspol

https://twitter.com/AuSenate/status/1163216501932875777

@thelawcouncil @KaldorCentre .@thelawcouncil provides some context to the character test where it has gone from being used a few times a year to over 1400 times a year #auspol

By setting the record straight @AIMS_CEO should be congratulated for defending #science and public research during @Aus_ScienceWeek #auspol
theaustralian.com.au/nation/most-co… Scientists at @aims_gov_au are widely respected for their work and are right to make the point that the reef is a complex system and you can't distinguish between inshore and outshore reefs #auspol #science

In a bid to promote a new cold war with China, the folks at @ASPI_org have ignored the government's own review of defence exports, including the links between universities, public research agencies and international scholars #auspol
canberratimes.com.au/story/6323432/… The question I pose to all those promoting this idea that there is a grand international conspiracy to fleece Australian scientists is, where is the evidence? The answer is there is none. #auspol

Excellent piece @GavinMoodie analysing the problem with higher education policy capacity in Australia. One of the reason's why I have advocated for a higher education commission is to repair this capacity and guide intelligent policy design

https://twitter.com/GavinMoodie/status/1153793812247879682

The governance of tertiary education in this country has become dominated by a singular focus on budget and fiscal driven priorities, not educational, research or skills driven futures

Despite the spin, the Building Ministers Forum yesterday was a failure and took no action needed to solve the crisis in construction infustry. All that happened was window dressing in an attempt to convince the insurers that all is well #auspol What are the facts? No concrete action on solving the insurance crisis. No banning of dangerous cladding at the border. No commitment to comprehensive national licensing of building trades

It is immensely disappointing that @GrattanInst is ending its higher education research program. I have not always agreed with @andrewjnorton but have always respected his insights and attention to detail.
grattan.edu.au/higher-educati… As a country we don't do higher education research, particular research that informs and provokes public debate well. The departure of @GrattanInst leaves a gaping hole and I hope someone else will step up to the plate.

Without basic research there can be no new knowledge, and without new knowledge there will be no discoveries to commercialise or translate. A lopsided funding system that ignores basic research places this nation's economy and social cohesion at risk.
afr.com/news/policy/he… As instruments like the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grow, they will further distort Australia's research profile. My fear is this could place Australia's future science endeavour at risk. This is why I argued it was time for a new review of Research in Australia #auspol

Today we announced with @billshortenmp and @C_OToole Labor’s $100 million plans for marine science in northern Australia developing ReefHQ to inspire the next generation and investing in marine infrastructure, science and research #auspol alp.org.au/policies/labor… This funding is above and beyond what @AustralianLabor will claw back of the government’s $444 million grant to a private foundation and instead redirect it to @gbrmarinepark @CSIROnews @aims_gov_au #auspol