Wellington
Dear David (Shearer),
I’m afraid, if you’re trying to outflank National on the science and innovation front,you’re going to have to do much better than your speech to the NZ Association of Scientists (seespeech
As your first major shot from the S&I portfolio you’ve deliberately taken onboard as wellas leadership of the opposition, you’ve somewhat underwhelmed.
Which is a pity because I’m not all together sure that Steven Joyce is enjoying or findinghe’s able to click the numerous pieces together in the S&I ecosystem.
There simply seems to be a whole lot of nothing happening – unless you call thestructural-change absorption of the Ministry of Science & Innovation into a super ministry ofBusiness, Innovation and Employment an inspired piece of strategy-led thinking.
I will give you credit for one good line on that front though Mr Shearer:
“The latest government idea is not about moving forward, but movingoffices.”
That’s about it though I’m afraid, because the rest of your speech simply stated what is,even if you said to the assembled scientists
“over the coming months we will want to discuss with you how you believe sciencecan be better supported. How our institutions can work more effectively and better together. We wantto begin our government in 2014 with a clear plan.”
Might I respectfully suggest we do enough good science (look at the stats for published papersper capita).
It’s what we’re doing, nor rather not doing, beyond the initial research that the missingpart of the jigsaw.
That’s the development part, the innovation part (i.e. bringing elements such as capital,management, lean startup methodologies, routes to market) that is a large part of the government’smissing policy or strategy.
And this is where you have quite a degree of freedom Mr Shearer to plant some seeds, show someleadership, grab our hearts and minds.
Because, (unless he’s cunningly planning to soon reveal an innovation genie of some kind), thisis unclaimed territory by Mr Joyce.
Merely by stating some fresh thinking in the innovation area (which we’ll define as convertinga good idea into something that makes money or is societally advantageous) you’d startfront-footing it with the current government.
As to your speech - No one is going to disagree that we should do good science, retain youngpeople and the like. Stating the obvious isn't going to grab the nation’s hearts and minds, andthat is what is up for the taking in the absence of Mr Joyce inspiring us to a better and brighteruse of our smart resources.
You’re absolutely right when you said
“the absence of an overall plan means the science sector is again being turnedupside down.”
But you’d better start offering more than what was in this speech if you want to be taken asmerely providing platitudes.
In the current S&I climate of all structures and no strategy, you have a golden opportunityto do more than echo comments of the late Sir Paul Callaghan, or state what everyone alreadyknows.
As you also commented in the speech:
“If we want more innovation and science in our industry, then we need theleadership and co-ordination that will create it.”
Precisely.
The S&I ball is in your court Mr Shearer.
You’ve so-far returned a couple of weak backhands.
A few smashing overhead volleys even if they're out of court, would make us sit up and take morenotice, see if you’re worth more than a cursory glance at.
Yours, etc etc