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 Should Australia have an institute like New Zealand's Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research?

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Chris Gillies posted 12-08-2022 11:10
Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research is the Crown Research Institute for New Zealand's biodiversity, biosecurity, land resources, and environment. Its scientists work with other Crown Research Institutes, universities, businesses and the wider science system to create impactful, relevant, and useful research. Australia previously had a research agency with a similar focus - Land & Water Australia - but it was closed down in 2009.

Given the importance of Australia's natural environment to our economy and wellbeing, is it time to estabslish a new lead research agency focused on Australia's biodiversity, biosecurity, land resources, and environment? Could New Zealand's Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research be a model for this, especially with Landcare's positive impact being readily recognised by the Australian public?