Australia has a new Chief Scientist – Professor Tony Haymet FTSE, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and a champion of science and research collaborations over a long and distinguished career.

We are delighted to congratulate Professor Haymet on his appointment as Australia’s Chief Scientist. He is a highly regarded Fellow within ATSE, a global leader in ocean research and an advocate for Australian science and research capability and infrastructure.

“I congratulate Professor Haymet on his appointment as Chief Scientist. Australia has gained a true champion of the sciences, and of the power of applying knowledge to advance society. He will be a great asset to all Australians as we look to build a sustainable future on the pillars of innovation, technological sciences and engineering”, said ATSE CEO Kylie Walker.

Australia has gained a true champion of the sciences, and of the power of applying knowledge to advance society.

Professor Haymet's career leadership, including at the World Economic Forum, CSIRO and the SCRIPPS Institute of Oceanography, has included growing marine and climate science capability, initiating globally significant collaborations, and strengthening national and global research partnerships.

ATSE President Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE FAICD said, “Professor Haymet has demonstrated his ability to push research and development forward throughout his global career, and I am excited for him bring this approach to our national science ecosystem. The Chief Scientist of Australia has a key role in advising Government and fostering the right conditions to grow impact and tangible outcomes from science, technology and engineering. ATSE is proud that Professor Haymet continues the strong tradition of ATSE Fellows as Australian Chief Scientists. We look forward to supporting him in his important work.”

Professor Haymet co-founded Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System, the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship and the Quantitative Marine Science Program with The University of Tasmania.

He has championed diverse workplaces and the value of experimental data, actively communicated science through the world, and founded two for-profit companies and a charity in Clean Technology.

To date, six of the nine Australian Chief Scientists have been Fellows of the Academy – including the outgoing Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FTSE and her two predecessors Professor Alan Finkel AC FTSE FAA and Professor Ian Chubb AC FTSE FAA.