Australian scientists to focus on eight research priorities

A panel of Australian experts have identified eight research priorities that are aimed to give the nation a competitive edge.

The nation's chief scientist Ian Chubb said on Monday that the sectors of food, soil and water, transport, health, energy and resources, cyber security, environmental change and manufacturing will be boosted by additional research.

A large part of the nation's research, science and innovation budget of 9.2 billion Australian dollars (7.5 billion U.S. dollars) will be directed toward these priorities, Chubb said.

Last month, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott chaired the inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Science Council, which identified these research priorities.

Chubb told Fairfax Media that the priorities would take into account Australia's interests and needs as well as areas where Australian researchers are excelling in their work.

"Just because we say let's look into Australia's food production cycle to make sure it's adequate for our needs, and that of our trade agreements, that doesn't make it applied research," he said.

"It just means we're focusing our efforts, basic and applied, in a particular area."

A Universities Australia report last week said identifying research priorities would help universities plan more strategically.