This White Paper issued by the Australian government flows from the most intensive and extensive review ever conducted of science and technology in this country.

The catalyst for this process was the Australian government's Green Paper `Towards an Australian Science Council' published in March 1974. The scientific community in Australia responded thoughtfully and frankly to the propositions raised in the Green Paper.

Although science and technology have brought countless benefits to our society, the implications of scientific progress have recently come under increasing scrutiny and criticism. The growth of public disenchantment with the role of science and technology is the result of several factors, including the military applications of scientific discoveries, a questioning of the true value of high-cost technology such as space exploration, and the impact of science and technology on the environment.

The Australian government believes that now is an opportune time to examine closely the role of science and technology in relation both to the formulation and the achievement of national goals. These goals are continually changing and if they are to provide a proper basis for planning they need to anticipate the future needs of society as well as recognize those of the present.