Greens MP and spokesperson on Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Adam Bandt has congratulated two Melbourne based scientists who have been jointly awarded the the $300,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Science.

Professors Ezio Rizzardo (CSIRO) and David Solomon (University of Melbourne) developed new chemical theories that have had a big impact on the production of polymers, particularly in plastics.

"I want to congratulate two of Melbourne's great scientific pioneers," Mr Bandt said.

"This is a fantastic decision that highlights not just the ground breaking work of these two wonderful scientists but also the important research being undertaken in Melbourne."

"Science and research will increasingly underpin our economic prosperity and our shift to a sustainable society."

"This decision reinforces the importance of continued and increased government and business support for science."

Mr Bandt also congratulated the Stuart Wyithe from the University of Melbourne who has been awarded the Physical Scientist of the Year Award for work on the physics of the formation of the universe.