United States and Australia Sign Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement

On February 28, 2006, the United States of America and Australia signed a new bilateral Agreement relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation. The ceremony took place at the Parliament House in Canberra, with Chargé d’Affaires William A. Stanton signing on behalf of the United States, and the Honorable Julie Bishop, Minister for Education, Science and Training, signing on behalf of Australia

Dr. John Marburger, the Director of the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President, praised the new agreement, saying it provided the basis for even closer ties between the U. S. and Australian scientific communities.. The agreement extends the highly successful scientific and technological relationship between the two nations and sets forth a formal framework to strengthen cooperation in science and technology for peaceful purposes. For example, it supports enhanced cooperation to establish a tsunami early-warning detection system. It also enables cooperation on applied science for research related to homeland security technologies, a national priority for both the United States and Australia. Finally, the agreement provides principles to guide the conduct of bilateral projects, including the protection of intellectual property rights, and the equitable distribution of intellectual property created as a result of the bilateral collaboration.

The types of projects covered by the agreement include: joint research projects; joint task forces; joint organization of scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops; training of scientists and experts; visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers and technical personnel; exchanges of information on activities, policies, practices, laws and regulations concerning research and development; as well as other mutually beneficial activities.