Australian science policy is in a confused place. The government is negotiating with the European Union to join the Horizon Europe program for funding and collaboration. Australian facilities are crucial to NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon.

At the same time, a decision announced over the weekend highlights a lack of vision. A longstanding membership with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) will not be renewed. This will cut Australian astronomers and engineers off from a vital source of data and experience.

Australia is playing a key role in a historic NASA mission right now. The 2026 Australian of the Year is an astronaut and space engineer – Katherine Bennell-Pegg. This year, we finally have a comprehensive report on research and development in Australia, and what needs to improve.

But instead of building a shared scientific vision, the federal government is still focused on funding a patchwork of siloed projects, while pulling out of other initiatives entirely, as the ESO decision shows.

What’s lacking is a bold vision not only for Australian astronomy, but science and research and development more broadly. With the right unifying vision – and investment to back it up – Australia can be ambitious.........

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