Wellington
It may be drawing too long a bow, but was David Carter hinting he might have the ministerialportfolio role following National's (expected) election win?
Speaking at a NZ Institute of Agricultural andHorticultural Science forum in Wellington last week, the current Minister of Agriculture andacting Minister for Economic Development is one of at least half a dozen MPs putting their hand upfor the role.
What is fantastic is that following the implementation of many of the CRI Taskforce Review'srecommendations, there is now intense competition among senior cabinet ministers for the role.Carter is known to be one of those putting their had up for what is now a pivotal component of thegovernment's economic development strategy.
For the record, when four parties different MPs were asked what the appropriate NZ investment inR&D should be, Carter said that given the upcoming election, he wasn't at liberty to announceanything.
"But I don't expect anyone to be disappointed," were his words.
Some of the speculative thinking that's been going on around the place is that National's beensaving up some science announcements for its election campaign.
This is quite possibly going to be with regards to IRL 'sfuture.
The fact that IRL was given more time by the
Given that innovation, in however it is defined, is one of the few ways to crank up the economyin a better and bigger sense, using the applied physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematics thatresides in IRL is a clear way to lift performance of our country's industries, including thebiological ones.
Of course, John Key himself might still want to take on the role. The last time a Prime Ministerwas also responsible for science was Gordon Coates back in 1935, so it wouldn't be before time!
Even if it isn't Key, the boss will still want a competent, visionary and active minister who ispragmatic and looks for practical outcomes.
It isn't the sort of job that a politician can slot into and hope they don't stuff up by merelycoasting.
The government has high expectations for the science and innovation space as a driver of economicprosperity.
David Carter may be the man - though given the CRI Taskforce led reforms, it is a role that otherambitious politicians can see as a means to forward the country and their own ambitions.