FOR the first time since the creation of a science portfolio in 1931, Australia does not have a science minister.

The Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott announced today during his cabinet unveiling that the science portfolio would be shared between the Industry and Education ministries.

"Science, as in the CSIRO, will be with industry," Mr Abbott said during the press conference, which means the minister overseeing the sciences will be Ian McFarlane.

Laborite Jack Holloway was the first Australian minister to hold a science portfolio when he was appointed assistant minister for industry, council for scientific and industrial research in 1931.

The science portfolio - though it took different forms - was held by more than 30 ministers both Labor and Liberal up until today when it was abolished by Mr Abbott.

Australian scientists say they are "confused and disappointed" by the fact that there is no science minister in the new cabinet.

Catriona Jackson, the CEO of Science and Technology Australia, told news.com.au that science and technology was central to everything government did "from industry, to health to creating the sort of jobs that are key to ensuring a prosperous future for the country".

"It seems inconceivable that we do not have a minister of Parliament that is responsible for the sciences," she said.

We don't need money FOAR science research! We've already discovered everyfing! #STRAYA — Martin S Pribble (@MartinPribble) September 16, 2013

The researcher said it was "critical" that there be a minister for science, but said it was difficult to say what this move would mean for sciences in Australia.

While Mr Abbott has indicated that the CSIRO will fall under the industry portfolio, he has yet to reveal who will manage other scientific organisations such as the Australian Research Council which is the major funding body for science in Australia.

It receives about $900 million of funding each year, 80 per cent of which funds scientific research, according to Ms Jackson.

Melbourne molecular biologist Upulie Divisekera called the decision "short sighted in the extreme, and lacking vision of a broader future".

"Science, technology and emerging technologies are going to be incredibly important for the economy going forward," she told news.com.au.

"Australia is the country that developed the solar cell, the bionic ear and now the bionic eye.

"These are the industries that are going to be important for the future but we're not investing in it, we're not making it a central vision for the country.

"Other countries are doing it and we're going to be left behind."

Cancer researcher Dr Darren Saunders told news.com.au that innovation was a powerful economic driver and was underpinned by scientific research.

"There's an implicit message in this decision that science and research aren't seen as a high priority," he said.

"From a practical perspective, we are still waiting to hear which cabinet minister will have responsibility for science. Without it, there is no clear line of representation in government, which will likely hinder our ability to fund and carry-out research in a strategic manner."

@AtomicMPC Can I be the Minister for Science-Fiction? — Stephen Reeves (@smadge1) September 16, 2013

Professor Les Field, secretary for science policy at the Australian Academy of Science, said it would be heartened if minister Ian Macfarlane were put in charge of a broader science portfolio, not just the CSRIO.

"Mr Macfarlane has long been interested in and engaged with science," he said. "A scientifically literate society is a society which is equipped to hold informed debate and make intelligent decisions about big issues that affect us all."

Australians used Twitter to express frustration at the change in the portfolio.

"We don't need money FOAR science research! We've already discovered everyfing! #STRAYA," tweeted user @MartinPribble.

"Today we are ALL science ministers," tweeted David Hollingworth, the managing editor of Atomic, and PC and Tech Authority.

"Minister for Climate Change will now be represented by the Minister for Magic," tweeted Gizmodo editor, Luke Hopewell, who also began crafting his own fantasy cabinet, including the Minister for Rich White Men Affairs.

No Minister for Science, but we'll have a Minister for Defense Against the Dark Arts, right? #Auspol #fantastycabinet — Rae Johnston (@miss_raej) September 16, 2013

"The ministry has been dispersed and is now a quantum wave function," tweeted writer Ashley NG.

"Can I be the Minister for Science-Fiction?," tweeted user Stephen Reeves.

News.com.au contacted leading climate change expert Tim Flannery but he did not want to comment, saying it was too early to say what this would mean for science in Australia.

Originally published as No science minister for first time in 81 years