Alan Finkel appointed Australia's next Chief Scientist

Australia's next Chief Scientist lives in a house entirely powered by renewable energy and believes that everyone will eventually drive an electric car like him.

Australia's next Chief Scientist lives in a house entirely powered by renewable energy and believes that everyone will eventually drive an electric car like him.

Dr Alan Finkel has been appointed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to replace outgoing Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb when his four-year term ends in December.

Dr Finkel, who is currently the President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, will begin his new role as the government's key science and innovation adviser next January.

"My personal experience across research, business and STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) education will guide my ability to formulate relevant advice," Dr Finkel, who co-founded two science magazines among other businesses, said. "We exist in a competitive international environment and to compete effectively, business needs science, science needs business, Australia needs both."

Mr Turnbull has said science will be central to his government's national agenda, but been silent on future funding for research institutions, which was cut to a 30-year low under former prime minister Tony Abbott.

Innovation and Science minister Christopher Pyne said Dr Finkel was already renowned for his advice, research and service to the education sector.

"His will be a vital role in shaping Australia's economic future and leading our national conversation on science, innovation and commercialisation across the research, industry and education sectors and with the wider community," he said.

Mr Pyne also thanked Professor Chubb for his "incredible contribution to science in Australia".

It is understood that the international search for the position closed on July 17, and was not re-opened when Mr Turnbull deposed Mr Abbott last month.

One person who missed out on the role but was short-listed among the final handful of candidates was only informed of the decision about 10 days ago. "[The process has] really come down to the end, post-this PM," a source said.

In stark contrast to the climate-denialist image that plagued the Abbott government, Dr Finkel has publicly advocated for nuclear power and electric cars to help reduce Australia's carbon emissions in the fight against global warming.

In an essay this year in Cosmos, a science magazine he co-founded, Dr Finkel revealed that the electricity in his home was  "100 per cent ... green".

Electric cars were the "transport technology of the future", the engineer and entrepreneur wrote.

"One day, everyone's driving could be close to emissions-free, like mine is. The more of us who buy electric cars and power them with green electricity the faster that day will come."

Simon McKeon, who will succeed Dr Finkel as chancellor at Monash University, praised his mooted-appointment on Monday: "There's no doubt he has done his level-best for the promotion of science in this country. We do need a good communicator, not just a good adviser on science."

Dr Finkel could be expected to speak out more on climate change and nuclear power as Chief Scientist, Mr McKeon, a former CSIRO chairman, said. "We're in a different era now. We're not as intimidated by what I'm going to call unfortunate comments about science by non-scientists."

Dr Finkel has also argued that nuclear power should be considered an alternative energy source, with solar and wind failing to meet the growth in global demand for electricity if fossil fuels had to be avoided.

In the 1980s, he established Axon Instruments, a company which supplies tools for cellular neuroscience and drug discovery which was later bought by a US firm and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Mr McKeon said that one notable failure among Dr Finkel's CV of successes, his time as chief technology officer at Better Place, would one day be viewed more favourably.

"Better Place will just be shown as a company that was ahead of its time. Science is all about risk," he said.

Better Place, which aimed to supply battery-switching services for electric vehicles, filed for bankruptcy in Israel in 2013 after burning through $US850 million (then worth about $885 million) in private funds.

Evan Thornley, who was chief executive of Better Place, said: "I know how passionate Alan is about climate change and finding economically attractive ways to reduce emissions.

"Such an appointment would be a great signal that the Turnbull government is serious about science, both in the classroom, the lab, but also in the fast-moving real world of technology entrepreneurship and its key economic and environmental role."

Key figures in the science community have welcomed the appointment.

Sir Gustav Nossal, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne, said that beyond Dr Finkel's scientific research and business achievements, he was a "person of the highest intelligence, integrity and imagination. Australia was also 'getting 2 for the price of one' as his wife, Elizabeth Finkel, is a distinguished science journalist and author."

"This news has made my day, my week, my month and my year," he said.

Professor Andrew Holmes, the president of the Australian Academy of Science also said Dr Finkel was an "excellent choice". "I'm confident he will speak strongly and passionately on behalf of Australian science, particularly in his advice to government."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called Dr Finkel a "tireless advocate" for Australian science research and innovation for more than 30 years.

He and Nick Champion, acting opposition spokesman assisting the leader for science, also praised Professor Chubb's dedication to his role: "At a time when scientists too often come under attack from those with dubious political agendas, Professor Chubb has not ceased to remind Australians that, without adherence to the goals and methods of scientific inquiry, the advancement of society would be inconceivable."

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The story Alan Finkel appointed Australia's next Chief Scientist first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.

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