The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Informing the future
House of Representatives Standing Committee Inquiry into Pathways to Technological Innovation
On Monday 19 June 2006, the Standing Committee on Science and Innovation tabled its report on the inquiry
into pathways to technological innovation entitled Pathways to Innovation. Improving linkages and collaborations
between the public and private sectors, fostering a more entrepreneurial culture in Australia, and better
publicising the range of innovation assistance available are some of the issues addressed in the report.
The report’s recommendations highlight a number of concerns for consideration, such as:
• promotion of the government assistance that is available to businesses;
• better fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in Australia;
• providing a scheme of matched government - university funding to support projects at the proof of
concept stage; and
• Investigating mechanisms to direct more government procurement to technological innovation from
Small & Medium Enterprises.
The inquiry received more than 100 submissions and public hearings were held around Australia, as well as a
number of site visits to businesses and research institutes.
More information about the inquiry can be found at: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/scin/
pathways/report.htm
Productivity Commission’s Review of Public Support for Science and Innovation
The Australian Government has identified science and innovation as one of its strategic priorities, recognising
its contribution to Australia’s economic and social prosperity. The government has provided significant support
for science and innovation, which it has augmented since 2001 through Backing Australia’s Ability, and funding
now exceeds $5 billion a year. In light of this investment, the Australian Government considers that a study
of public support for science and innovation is warranted. This study will complement the ongoing and planned
reviews of Backing Australia’s Ability programmes.
The Productivity Commission has been asked to report on the economic impact of public support for science
and innovation in Australia and, in particular, its impact on Australia’s recent productivity performance. It has
also been asked to report on whether there are adequate arrangements to benchmark outcomes from publicly
supported science and innovation and to report on those outcomes as measured by the benchmarks.
The Productivity Commission has also been asked to:
• Identify impediments to the effective functioning of Australia's innovation system including knowledge
transfer, technology acquisition and transfer, skills development, commercialisation, collaboration
between research organisations and industry, and the creation and use of intellectual property, and
identify any scope for improvements.
• Evaluate the decision-making principles and programme design elements that influence the effectiveness
and efficiency of Australia's innovation system, guide the allocation of funding between and within the
different components of Australia's innovation system and identify any scope for improvements and, to
the extent possible, comment on any implications from changing the level and balance of current support.
• Report on the broader social and environmental impacts of public support for science and innovation
in Australia.
The Commission produced a final report in March 2007.
More information can be found at: www.pc.gov.au/study/science/index.html
150 Backing Australia’s Ability