Some research and higher education groups assume bleating is lobbying, but not Science and Technology Australia which has come up with a scheme so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weaseltron.

The peak-industry group is inviting “STEM professionals” to apply to become ambassadors who connect with their local federal MPs.  The brief is not to lobby for particular projects but “to deepen understanding of science and technology and build in-principle support among Australia’s political leadership for a thriving Australian STEM sector.” Past and present members of political parties are banned.

“Program participants must be prepared to put time and energy into forming a professional relationship with their local MP, regardless of their own personal political views,” STA states.

To ensure ambassadors are effective STA will lay on four training sessions and briefings on STEM issues.

STA will target ten House of Reps MPs who have participated in the annual science meets parliament event and expressed an interest in learning more.

This is seriously smart stuff.  MPs are inoculated against demands for more money but they don’t often hear expert advice on the rare subjects, such as science and technology, where they can develop expertise independent of the party-line. The more friends STEM has in the House the better.

So, who wants to be a friend of science? Not cabinet ministers and their shadows, although you can hardly blame them given the queues outside their offices. And assistant minister for VET Karen Andrews has put her hand up. But overall it’s a Labor-list, with 16 ALP members putting their hands up. There are two Libs, one Nat and Rebekha Sharkie from NXT.

Short-listed MPs and their seats are: Braddon (Justine Keay-Labor, Tas), Brand (Madeline King – Labor, WA), Bruce (Julian Hill-Labor, Vic)  Calwell (Maria Vamvakinou, Labor-Vic), Canberra (Gai Brodtmann-Labor, ACT) Cowper (Luke Hartsuyker-Nat, NSW), Gellibrand (Tim Watts, Labor-Vic), Goldstein (Tim Wilson-Lib, Vic), Herbert (Cathy O’Toole-Labor, Qld), Hunter (Joel Fitzgibbon-Labor, NSW), Macarthur (Mike Freelander-Labor, NSW), Macquarie (Susan Templeman, Labor, NSW), Mayo (Rebekha Sharkie-NXT, SA), McPherson (Karen Andrews-Lib, Qld), Newcastle (Sharon Claydon-Labor,NSW), Parramatta (Julie Owens-Labor, NSW), Shortland (Pat Conroy-Labor, NSW) Wakefield (Nick Champion-Labor, SA), Werriwa (Anne Stanley-Labor, NSW), Wills (Peter Khalil-Labor, Vic)