The Australian Government's Innovation Report
The Australian Government's Innovation Report
The Australian Government's Innovation Report
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
• <strong>The</strong> Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme reported continuing strong performance in<br />
building long-term strategic linkages and collaborations between industry, universities and government.<br />
In 2004-05 (most recent data available) there were 1177 companies involved in the programme,<br />
including 679 small to medium-sized enterprises and 498 large businesses. During the year CRCs<br />
undertook over 600 research contracts and consultancies from industry and other end-users, earning<br />
almost $53 million, and reported over 4000 license agreements and creation of 12 spin-off<br />
companies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> year also saw some significant new developments focused on the venture capital industry:<br />
• Following a review of the <strong>Australian</strong> venture capital industry in 2005, the <strong>Australian</strong> Government<br />
announced measures to improve access to capital as part of the 2006-07 Budget. Measures include: the<br />
establishment of a new investment vehicle, the Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership that<br />
will progressively replace the Pooled Development Funds Programme; enhancements to the existing<br />
Venture Capital Limited Partnership regime; and additional funding for a third round of the successful<br />
<strong>Innovation</strong> Investment Fund Programme.<br />
Developing and retaining <strong>Australian</strong> skills<br />
In 2005-06 <strong>Australian</strong> Government departments and agencies reported a number of activities supporting<br />
Australia’s capacity to develop and retain skills. A continuing focus has been on engaging young people in<br />
science and innovation and attracting, nurturing and retaining talent. Highlights included:<br />
• Students performed strongly in the International Science Olympiads with Australia maintaining its<br />
ranking amongst the best competing countries. Australia was placed 6th out of 48 in biology, 20th out<br />
of 66 in chemistry and 14th out of 77 in physics.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Questacon Smart Moves Programme travelled extensively during 2005-06 through regional and<br />
rural secondary schools in Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and New South<br />
Wales. A total of 371 schools were visited and 82 400 secondary students participated in the<br />
programme.<br />
• 25 new Federation Fellowships were announced in May 2006. Of the fellowships awarded, five were<br />
awarded to expatriate <strong>Australian</strong>s who will leave international organisations to return home, and two<br />
were awarded to foreign nationals who will bring their expertise and talent to Australia.<br />
<strong>The</strong> year also saw significant progress on work that will inform future skills strategies:<br />
• <strong>The</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> Government commissioned an audit of science, engineering and technology (SET)<br />
skills to examine trends in their supply and demand. A summary report was provided in June 2006,<br />
which raised a number of issues including, among others: recruitment difficulties in many engineering<br />
and some science disciplines; static or declining participation in the enabling sciences in school and in<br />
post-school settings; and concerns regarding the quality of SET career advice. Further work has been<br />
commissioned by the Minister for Education, Science and Training to investigate key areas, including<br />
the engagement of pre-school and primary school children with SET, the factors that influence people<br />
to seek out and stay in SET careers, and career opportunities for early to mid-career researchers<br />
in Australia.<br />
National Research Priorities<br />
Australia has four National Research Priorities that are designed to focus research effort and investment in<br />
areas that will deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the <strong>Australian</strong> community.<br />
<strong>Australian</strong> Government research and research funding organisations are required to maintain plans which<br />
show their progress in implementing the priorities in their activities. This is the third year that departments<br />
and agencies have reported their efforts and this report includes a series of examples which demonstrate<br />
their progress.<br />
Executive Summary 15