The Australian Government's Innovation Report

• promoting and marketing industry innovation activities, programmes and benefits by acting as an
ambassador for industry innovation;
• maintaining the effectiveness and integrity of programmes for which it has responsibility; and
• collecting and analysing data on programme performance and assessing whether programmes are
meeting their objectives.
More information about the Industry Research and Development Board can be found at:
www.ausindustry.gov.au
Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council
The Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council was announced in March 2002 and currently comprises 10 members
drawn from the research, business, industry, health, agriculture and environment sectors.
The Council’s role is to:
• provide high-level independent advice on the role of government, industry and research in biotechnology
development in Australia to the Commonwealth Biotechnology Ministerial Council including advice on
further development and implementation of the National Biotechnology Strategy;
• advise on important biotechnology issues including in relation to economic growth, employment creation,
the development of new industries and the sustainable development of new resources; and
• provide advice on government policies and programmes in support of biotechnology development in
Australia.
Key activities to date include:
• participating in the mid-term and final evaluations of the National Biotechnology Strategy in 2003 and
2004;
• advising the Australian Government Ministerial Council on Biotechnology on the importance of
continued government assistance for early stage biotechnology development;
• providing input to the development of the National Research Priorities;
• preparing a submission to the Lockhart Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and the
Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002; and
• providing input for the identification of biotechnology capabilities for the National Capability Statement
(Australia’s Biotechnology Capabilities), launched in November 2005.
Proposed activities for 2006-07 include:
• providing advice to government on current reviews relevant to the sector including issues surrounding
the intended evaluation of the National Biotechnology Strategy in 2007; and
• continuing to provide direction on the development of a national 10-year strategic plan for biotechnology
and other initiatives aimed at strengthening national efforts on biotechnology development through
the National Biotechnology Strategy.
More information about the Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council can be found at:
www.biotechnology.gov.au
146 Backing Australia’s Ability