Hornsby Heights resident Dr Glenn Baxter and his Finisar colleagues, Dr Steven Frisken and Dr Simon Poole and Mr Andrew Bartos, have won the $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Innovation.

Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra, joined Dr Baxter at an awards function in Canberra this morning.  He congratulated Dr Baxter on winning the prestigious award.

“Dr Glenn Baxter is an inspiration to all Australians. Dr Baxter’s achievements demonstrate that if you are dedicated, work hard, and apply yourself, you can achieve remarkable things.”

“Dr Baxter is a role model for young Australians and a brilliant ambassador for STEM disciplines. I am immensely proud he has won the Prime Minister’s Science Innovation award,” Mr Leeser said.

Dr Baxter’s research team invented and commercialised technology to make internet connections go faster and more reliable. About half of the world’s internet traffic travels through devices developed by Finisar and made in Sydney.

“Our Government recognises the importance of science and technology as drivers of our economy, and ensuring Australia’s strength in these sectors will help generate more local jobs and higher living standards”, said Mr Leeser.

“That’s why we’ve invested $2.4 billion in Australia’s research, science and technology capabilities in the 2018-19 Budget, underscored by a $1.9 billion investment to update our National Research Infrastructure”.