Oceanography head named as Australian chief scientist

An oceanography professor and former CSIRO chief has been appointed as Australia's top scientist.

Tony Haymet has been named as the country's next chief scientist, who will provide independent advice and research to the federal government across a range of scientific fields.

Professor Haymet is a former director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and was the chief of marine research at the CSIRO.

As well as serving as the chair of the Antarctic Science Foundation, the new chief scientist is also the co-founder of MRV Systems, a company that makes robots used in the ocean.

Science Minister Ed Husic said Prof Haymet would be able to provide advice on different approaches for scientific work in Australia.

"He's got extensive experience advising government on science, particularly taking science leadership around climate change," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

"As we diversify supply chains, that means we need to do things differently and be able to find new ways of getting things done.

"In this era where we are trying to do a lot more of that, there'll be things that crop up ... where he'll be required to be able to harness Australia's science and research community to be able to help us solve problems."

Prof Haymet will take over as Australia's chief scientist from Cathy Foley, who finished up in the role in December.

He is the tenth person to be named as chief scientist and will serve a three-year term.

The Australian Academy of Science's president Chennupati Jagadish congratulated Prof Haymet's appointment.

"Professor Haymet has made outstanding contributions to Australian and international science, its application and philanthropy," Professor Jagadish said.

"We look forward to continuing the unique and longstanding relationship between the chief scientist and Australia's learned academies given our shared remit of providing independent scientific advice to government."