Labor's education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has called for guaranteed federal funding for science and research to foster job-creating innovation.
Ms Plibersek will on Wednesday open a university student conference about innovative technologies and their industrial applications.
In a draft of the speech, the former Labor deputy talks up the link between invention and jobs, which she says can be created through increased demand for local products.
Ms Plibersek will say governments should take more action to make Australia's technology sector more internationally competitive.
"We can guarantee every Australian school its fair funding, so they can hire more science and maths teachers," she will tell the conference.
"We can support our university science and engineering departments - not reduce their teaching budgets like Scott Morrison did last month.
"We can guarantee long term certainty to our researchers - not make them dependent on yearly deals in the budget."
Ms Plibersek takes aim at the Morrison government for refusing to admonish Liberal MP Craig Kelly over his support for an unproven coronavirus treatment.
"When our leaders allow scepticism to fester - when they allow backbenchers to post conspiracy theories about hydroxychloroquine - they undermine public confidence in science," she will say.
"And that damages us all."
The senior Labor figure says the government has a crucial responsibility to back in science with consistency and credibility.
"Not just when it's convenient, not just when we need a vaccine. But supporting science in all its forms, every day."
Ms Plibersek's speech comes on the same day Labor's innovation spokeswoman Clare O'Neil is due to address the National Press Club in Canberra.
Ms O'Neil is expected to outline the choices Australia faces in a post-coronavirus world based on what she's gathered from her podcast with political, economic and academic leaders.
With Labor engaging in an internal debate about climate and energy policies, Ms Plibersek's speech also notes the importance of commercialising wind, solar, batteries and hydro.
"To turn them from good ideas into profitable exports. To create good jobs and sustainable communities out of our invention."
Meanwhile, the Nationals are trying to capitalise on Labor's divisions in the coal-mining seat of Hunter, held by rogue MP and former opposition frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon.
Backbenchers Barnaby Joyce, David Gillespie and Matt Canavan will embark on a tour of the area on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr Joyce said the ALP was more interested in "soy latte-sipping elite" of inner cities rather than traditional blue-collar votes.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack visited the region on Tuesday with Mr Joyce and Nationals senator Perin Davey.
Australian Associated Press
