No dedicated science minister ok: Bishop

Concerns the abolition of a federal science minister will hamper Australia's scientific community have been dismissed by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Science is now split between industry and employment, and some scientists saying this means researchers are confused about who they should liaise with.

Until the Liberals swept to power last year, the federal government had had a dedicated science minister since 1931.

Ms Bishop, who held the position in the Howard government, rejected the concerns outright.

"No, not at all," she told reporters at a tour of the Square Kilometre Array precursor projects in Western Australia's Mid West region.

"We have ministers in cabinet that are science ministers. I think that is important.

"In this case we've got people focusing on the science and the job opportunities, the economic consequences of it.

"And I think it's working exceedingly well."