Australian Consulate-General, Guangzhou
Media Release PD03/08 25 January 2008
Australian Government announces Review of National Innovation System
Australia focused on making innovation policy, industry policy
Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, announced a wide ranging review of Australia's national innovation system.
The establishment of the review recognises the vital role innovation plays in boosting productivity and international competitiveness, and underpins the newly elected Australian Government's commitment to fostering innovation across the economy and to ensure Australia reaches its full potential as a dynamic, internationally competitive and prosperous nation.
"Innovation is critical to Australia's national future. Our prosperity, our economic strength and our ability to compete in the global economy, all depend on valuing innovation, harnessing its potential and putting it to work for the benefit of all Australians," said Senator Carr.
Senator Carr sees that "in today's economy, innovation policy is industry policy".
"In particular, we need to find ways to increase innovation performance across the economy, to ensure that business has better access to new ideas and new technologies and to bridge the divide between industry and research."
"In short, this review is about building a strong, robust and truly national innovation system to bolster Australia's innovation performance and boost productivity."
The panel chair, Dr Terry Cutler, is a highly regarded expert on innovation and industry policy and currently a Director of CSIRO and Chair of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Excellence for Creative Industries.
The panel will consist of industry and academia representatives including Professor Mary O’Kane (Vice Chancellor, Adelaide University); Dr Megan Clark (Vice President Technology, BHP Billiton); Professor Glyn Davis (Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne); Professor Steve Dowrick (School of Economics, Australian National University); Dr Nicholas Gruen (CEO, Lateral Economics); Ms Narelle Kennedy (Chief Executive, Australian Business Foundation); Ms Catherine Livingstone (former Chair of CSIRO and Director, Macquarie Bank and Telstra); and Dr Jim Peacock (ex-officio, the Commonwealth Chief Scientist).
A Green Paper will be released by the end of July 2008, to be followed by a White Paper response from the Australian Government.
For more information on the review and the terms of reference visit www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview
About the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research www.innovation.gov.au
The Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) is responsible for the development and implementation of policies to deliver strong, innovative and competitive Australian industries.
DIISR has dedicated staff in 18 offices across the world, including Europe, North America and Asia, to assist international companies build their business in Australia and offers investors comprehensive information on Australia's industry and innovation capabilities, free of charge.
For further information, please contact Ms Willow Li, Research Assistant
(Tel: 020 3814 0186, E-mail: [email protected] )