Watch the video of the Float-a-name competition announcement by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.

Transcript

“Wherever I go, people ask me ‘what’s the name of the new boat?’

I know I’m not supposed to use that term, but we can’t keep calling it ‘the boat’ forever. So we have to think more clearly about what the vessel’s will be.

That’s why it is my pleasure today to launch a national competition giving every Australian the chance to suggest a name for our most important new platform for scientific research. 

I trust it will be a name with an Australian flavour, or a name that highlights the boat’s role in discovery, but I don’t want to be prescriptive about this.

After all, this vessel is a major investment in Australian creativity.

We want a name that reflects that.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories – one for primary students, one for secondary students, and for everybody else.

And I trust the teachers of Australia will take this up and I trust the science classes between now and the end of the year will be enlivened by a discussion about the importance of marine science. And I trust that our students will response.

Now the he grand prize will be chosen from a short list, there’ll be a chance to perform, as a result of the prize, perform your own experiment on the world’s newest and finest ocean-going laboratory.”

Entries close on the 1st of December. Please read the Float a name terms and conditions and the Float-a-name privacy statement before entering.