[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 9 Jan 2026

Fri Jan 9 12:57:18 AEDT 2026

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The STA Member Update is sent to the leadership of member organisations. Please forward to your executive and membership.
9 Jan 2026
Dear Richard,

Happy new year and I hope you had the opportunity to rest and reflect during the break. We were deeply saddened by the passing of former Science & Technology Australia President Professor Emma Johnston AO FAA FTSE.

We paid tribute<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ZH-2CMwGxOtkp7yA6iWs4H8fHig?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> to her transformative science leadership with a passion to improve education and create opportunities for all kinds of people to thrive in STEM. You may like to read the personal reflections from STA President, Jas Chambers<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/xd1vCNLJyQUPYzqGMsrtKHyNMhQ?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> and from STA CEO, Ryan Winn<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-SfoCOMKzVTZDMLy2h5uZHGzKup?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

2026 is shaping up to be another very significant year for Science & Technology Australia and our sector.

We went into the break welcoming the short-term financial boost<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/oKvSCP7LAXfNBP1k5TBCOHxgEWu?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> for CSIRO and ANSTO and calling for sustained funding for research and development, in response to the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Investment in our sector isn’t keeping up with rising costs and along with cuts to other R&D funding across the system it left us wondering, what next?

Many are hoping for part of that answer to come from the Strategic Examination of Research and Development report, handed to the government in December. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape not just the future of R&D but the nation as well.

There will be much to discuss at Science Meets Parliament which takes place from 25-26 March. It’s one of Australia's most important opportunities for researchers and STEM professionals to engage directly with policymakers and build their capability.

To help ensure this opportunity is accessible to everyone, we are seeking partners to support SMP Scholarships<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/BSUQCQnMBZflnY1yNcQFVHGrfXl?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

The $5,000 contribution will cover full registration, a ticket to the National Press Club address, a meeting with a Parliamentarian, travel and accommodation for underrepresented STEM professionals to attend who may not otherwise be able to participate. If your organisation is able to support a scholarship, or if you would like to discuss this further, please visit our Partnership Opportunities<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/YtJ_CROND2u0wxDzghXHKH1G_rA?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> page.

Earlybird registration pricing for Science Meets Parliament<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/meI0CVARKgCkVYnRPiMIvHEo9FG?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> is available until 30 January. We look forward to seeing you there.

With best wishes,
Sandra Gardam
Deputy CEO, Science & Technology Australia

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Learn more<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/QFAZCYW8NocpKwW46H4UQHxiY8N?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> about Science Meets Parliament 2026!
REPORTS AND POLICY

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The Government released the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-_joCZY1Nqi810qpoi9c3HBSy7C?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. STA MYEFO analysis is available through the STA Member Portal<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/B-bsC1WLPxcBrlA9ETqf3HVG8hz?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
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The Productivity Commission released the final reports from it’s Five pillars of productivity<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qJbQC2xMQziZLg29EhQhQH582Rr?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> inquiries.
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The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water launched an engagement hub<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/GbAPC3QNPBi9jOgERUwipHQHHAy?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> for the State of the Environment 2026 report.
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The ATEC Interim Commissioners released a newsletter<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/CKi1C4QOPEi9Zq2v7UDsnH4NgB5?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

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Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry into the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and a related bill<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/GM-HC5QPXJipy2PDWHLtVHkJhln?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> – submissions close 15 January.
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2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/HF-cC6XQ4Lf0Rq6BGhkulH5EWcG?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> – submissions close 30 January.
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Senate Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into funding and resourcing for the CSIRO<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ooSFC71R2NTVrwXJWUlCpHoXI8d?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> – submissions close 30 January.
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Department of Education consultation on the new First Nations Education Policy<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/defqC81V0PTPmE5KwsWF5HywQW1?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> – submissions close 6 February.

For policy related matters contact STA Director of Policy and Engagement Sarah Tynan<mailto:sarah.tynan at sta.org.au>.
Browse the complete list of reports, policy news, and opportunities for submissions in our LinkedIn newsletter.
View LinkedIn newsletter<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/klMQC91WPRTNJDWpYTYHqHqMlNR?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

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The 2026 Adelaide Fringe<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/yYdWC0YKPvignpXLrUgIvH9hac2?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> will include several shows connecting art and science. A 20% discount is available for STA members to attend these shows.
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A Curious Thing – The Story of Mary Anning<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/DqmECgZ0N1iwvD17YCzSVH4HC71?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> is a musical journey into the world of remarkable creatures and the extraordinary women who discovered them in the early 1800s. Use the code CuriousSTA for the 20% discount.
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The Dinosaur Hunters<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pMmPCjZ1N7iGzV4vyi3T2Hmxvqt?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> features the all-female super group the Ammonites who take the audience on a journey to discover the dinosaurs time forgot. Use the code DinoSTA for the 20% discount.

MEMBER NEWS
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Scholarships
Thanks to our generous scholarship partners, STA is offering scholarships across seven categories to attend Science Meets Parliament 2026. Successful applicants will receive full registration to the two-day event which includes attendance at the gala dinner, a meeting with a Parliamentarian and a ticket to the National Press Club address. Apply for a scholarship now.<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MUcRCmO5gluPV9orRs1fwHRyy3B?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Early-bird Registrations
Registrations for Science Meets Parliament 2026 are open now!<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/xupZCp81lrtOg70BxtMsjHGbQ97?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> STA’s two-day annual flagship event will take place in Canberra at Australian Parliament House from Wednesday 25 March to Thursday 26 March 2026. Make sure you register while the early-bird discount is still available.
<mailto:tristan.scotcher at sta.org.au>
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Partnership Opportunities
We have multiple partnership opportunities to have your brand and staff associated with STA’s flagship event. Partnerships can include registrations to SMP, extra gala dinner tickets, tickets to the National Press Club address, speaking opportunities, branding in the delegate handbook, acknowledgement as a partner during the event and many more benefits. Further information on SMP2026 partner opportunities can be found here<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IdZeCr81nytnyWRGDskuYH4mRJO?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
STA delivers strong benefits to members, including discounted professional services via our Member Benefits Program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/B9EECvl1rKiLJRn3yhGCYHQPE01?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

Want the latest news from Science & Technology Australia? Subscribe to our media release distribution list<mailto:media at sta.org.au>, it is open to all.

Want to keep up to date with the latest in science and technology policy and advocacy? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter - the Science and Technology Update<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/atMECwV1vMfV52EWRUWF8HJEdi4?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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