AusBiotech has reinforced its role as Australia’s life sciences peak body through a strong national presence at Science Meets Parliament 2026 as a first-time partner, elevating sector priorities and strengthening engagement with policymakers.
Hosted by Science and Technology Australia, the annual event brings together leaders from research, industry, and government to build connections and ensure science is at the forefront of policy development.
Across the two-day program, AusBiotech and its members engaged directly with policymakers, advisers, and the broader STEM community, demonstrating the value of coordinated, industry-led advocacy.
Reflecting the strength and diversity of its membership, AusBiotech supported members from across the innovation pipeline to engage directly with government stakeholders, including Navbit, Cell Therapies, and AdvanCell.
Navbit CEO and Co-Founder, Lynette Walter, said, “For a growing Australian medtech company like Navbit, it was great to be able to have conversations with our federal parliamentarians about the value of backing Australia’s medical device sector, with respect to deepening sovereign capability, delivering improved patient outcomes, and employing STEM graduates.”
Cell Therapies CEO, Dr Bev Menner, said, “The Federal MPs I met were very interested to learn about cell therapy manufacturing, and the role Australia can play in meeting the growing demand for these advanced therapies, here and abroad, to treat cancer, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases.”
AdvanCell Chief Scientific Officer, Simon Puttick, said, “This was my first visit to Parliament House. It was excellent to see the level of interest in science and technology from Federal MPs and engage with parliamentarians on the future of science in Australia. The conference was an important opportunity to talk about how Australian-developed next-generation radiopharmaceutical technologies have the potential to change the course of cancer therapy.”
AusBiotech Director of Government and Policy, Karyn McIntosh, addressed the national STEM community, highlighting the importance of a unified voice to government at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and productivity challenges.
Participation in Science Meets Parliament forms part of AusBiotech’s broader advocacy strategy, which focuses on building strong relationships with government across multiple portfolios and ensuring member priorities are clearly represented in policy discussions.
By bringing members directly into national conversations, AusBiotech is helping to translate engagement into impact, strengthening the sector’s collective voice and positioning life sciences as critical to Australia’s future.