Australia - Review of National Innovations System

The Australian Federal Department for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has announced a review of the national innovations system to be conducted by an expert panel. The panel has called for submissions and stakeholder meetings are currently underway around the country.

"The Panel will identify gaps and weaknesses in the innovation system and develop proposals to address them. In particular, it will:

• Identify a set of principles to underpin the role and participation of the public sector in innovation.
• Develop a set of national innovation priorities to complement the national research priorities, ensuring the objectives of research programs and other innovation initiatives are complementary.
• Identify regulatory and other barriers to innovation and recommend ways to minimise these.
• Examine the scope for simplifying and reducing program duplication and ensuring that any support provided is well-targeted and easy to access.
• Consider the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Concession Scheme in promoting innovation and make recommendations to improve innovation outcomes.
• Consider ways to improve the governance of the national innovation system to support higher expectations of government agencies and industry.
• Assess the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program and make recommendations to improve innovation outcomes."

"A Green Paper will be received from the panel by the end of July 2008, and this will be followed by a White Paper response from the Government."

Submissions may be posted or emailed to innovationreview@innovation.gov.au, with the deadline for submission 30 April 2008.

Sources and for further information

IP Australia news - Review of National Innovation System

Department for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research - Review of National Innovation System

Department for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research - Innovation Review Consultation Sessions

Department for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research - Innovation Review: Call for Submissions