Sydney

Nossal: will promote health of Aborigines.

Sir Gustav Nossal, a leading immunologist and former president of the Australian Academy of Science, has been appointed Australian of the Year, an honorary post that nevertheless provides a platform for advocacy.

On the announcement of his appointment by the prime minister, John Howard, Nossal declared three issues he would pursue: increased public investment in universities and research (especially in medicine); improvements in the health of Australian Aborigines; and reconciliation between Aborigines and other Australians on social issues, particularly land rights.

Aborigines suffer much higher disease and mortality than most Australians. The Aboriginal community is demanding an apology for the damage to their society since European settlement began in 1788.

Nossal's appointment enhances his influence as deputy chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, charged with producing a declaration and initiating action acceptable to both sides. Howard has been attacked for being slow to respond to Aboriginal protests. Nossal expects Aborigines to disrupt the Olympic Games in Sydney.

Peter Doherty, another immunologist and former Australian of the Year, who won the award after sharing the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1996, used his term to advocate increased funding for medical research. The government approved a major increase last year (see Nature 399, 94; 1999).