Background: Science policy advisory machinery was first established with the formation of the Advisory Committee on Science and Technology. It was disbanded in February 1973. On 18 May 1975 an Interim Australian Science and Technology Council (CA 2074) was set up pending the passage of legislation.

(1)  On 9 February 1976 a highly qualified Advisory Group was formed to advise the Prime Minister on the role of a permanent science and technology council. The Advisory Group consisted of:

     Dr J.A.L. Matheson (Chairman of the Interim Council)
     Professor G.M. Badger
     Professor Sir Rutherford Robertson
     Professor R. Street
     Sir Colin Syme  (2)

On the recommendation of the Advisory Group, the Interim Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC) was reconstituted on 29 April 1976. Sir Louis Matheson remained as Chairman, but there were fourteen members instead of twelve, with six of the previous members replaced by eight new ones. (3)  The Interim Council presented its report to the Prime Minister in November 1976.

Establishment:

As a result of the Advisory Group's report, on 29 March 1977 Cabinet agreed to the formation of a permanent Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC) to advise the Government on science and technology policy.  The Prime Minister the Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser announced in the House of Representatives on 19 April 1977 the government's intention to establish the Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC) as a statutory body.

Mr Fraser stated that the "functions of ASTEC are to advise the government on science and technology, including:

.    the advancement of scientific knowledge and the development
     and application of science and technology in relation to the
     national well-being;

.    the adequacy, effectiveness and overall balance of the
     national effort in science and technology in government,
     industry, education and other sectors of the community;

.    the assessment of gaps and overlaps in science and technology
     in Australia;

.    the identification and support of new ideas of science and
     technology likely to be of national importance;

.    the practical development and application of research
     discoveries and the fostering of technical innovation in
     industry; and
 
.    the means of improving efficiency in the use of resources
     related to science and technology."

"Pending the passage of appropriate legislation, ASTEC has been established by Executive action....[It] will have a part-time Chairman and Deputy Chairman and up to thirteen other part-time members. Members are:

     Professor G.M. Badger (Chairman)
     Professor Sir Rutherford Robertson (Deputy Chairman)
     Professor B.D.O. Anderson, F.A.A.
     Mr S.G.W. Burston, O.B.E.
     Dr L.W. Davies, F.A.A., F.T.S.
     Professor B.E. Hobbs
     Mr B.T. Loton
     Sir Louis Matheson, K.B.E., C.M.G., F.T.S.
     Professor Sir Gustav Nossal, C.B.E., F.A.A.
     Mr A.H. Parbo
     Mr L.G. Peres
     Mr K.C Stone
     Professor R. Street, F.A.A.
     Mr J.G. Wilson, C.B.E." (4)

While the Interim Council (CA 2074) was responsible to the Minister for Science, then Science and Consumer Affairs, and then Science [II], on 23 February 1978 responsibility for the permanent Council was transferred to the Prime Minister by Administrative Arrangements Order published in Special Gazette No. S.36 of 23 February 1978.

Abolition:

ASTEC was abolished some time in 1989 and was replaced with the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council (PMSEC).
 
Function:

By November 1992, the function of the Council was described as - 
"The Australian Science and Technology Council, a statutory   authority usually known by the acronym ASTEC, is the Government's   principal source of independent advice on a wide range of policies   and programs related to science and technology and concerning   Commonwealth departments and agencies, higher education institutions  and private enterprise." 

The positions of Chairman and Secretary of ASTEC have been occupied as follows:

CHAIRMAN : 1977-1982 Prof.(later Sir) Geoffrey M Badger AO FAA FRS
           1983-1987 Prof. R O Slatyer AO FAA FRS
           1988-1992 Prof. R L Martin AO
           1992---   Emeritus Prof. L M Birt AO CBE FTS

SECRETARY: 1979-1981 Dr R M Green
           1982-1987 Dr B S Middleton
           1987---   Dr W J McG Tegart AM FTS

References:

1. Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives,
   19 April 1977, p. 907

2. Prime Minister's Press Release: Australian Science and
   Technology Council, 9 February 1976

3. Canberra Times, 24 June 1976, p.11

4. Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates. op. cit., pp. 907-908

5. Commonwealth Government Directory Nov.1992, p.341

Sources:

Australian/Commonwealth Government Directories 1977 - 1992

Commonwealth Acts No 81 of 1978, Australian Science and Technology Council Act 1978

Administrative Arrangements Order of 23 February 1978 - see Special Gazette No. S.36 of 23 February 1978, p.1.

Historical agency address

1977-1978: Hotel Kurrajong, National Circuit, Barton ACT1978-1979: c/- Deptartment of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Barton ACT1980-1984: Edmund Barton Building, Cnr Kings Avenue & Macquarie Street, Barton ACT1985-1988: 2nd Floor, West Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes ACT1988-1991: Ground Floor Annexe, McLachlan Offices, 3-5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 1991-1996: 2nd Level, AMA Building, 42 Macquarie Street, Barton ACT1996- : 20 Allara Street, Canberra ACT 2600

Legislation administered

Creation: Cabinet Decision of 29 March 1977, announced in Parliament on 19 April 1977; Australian Science and Technology Council Act 1978 (Commonwealth Act No 81 of 1978), assented to 22 June 1978, date of commencement proclaimed 28 February 1979

Agency controlled unregistered

1979-1981: Australian Marine Sciences and Technologies Advisory
           Committee (AMSTAC)
1982-1988: Technological Change Committee (TCC)