Govt will continue to link industry and science, says Macfarlane

Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane has marked the Abbott government’s two-year anniversary by committing to further work with the industry and science sectors to generate economic growth and create new jobs.

Macfarlane said the Coalition Government has put in place a new framework for Australian industry and science that is focused on building our areas of competitive strength, supporting our industries as they transition into new opportunities, building the industries of the future and making full use of the government’s investment in research and science.

“The government’s Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda has set out a new paradigm for industry policy, with an emphasis on science to foster innovation and research,” Macfarlane said.

“This government has been working closely with industry, universities, the research sector and the science community to encourage increased collaboration and to place science at the centre of industry — the engine room of national productivity — in order to take advantage of the transitioning global economy.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science Karen Andrews added that the government has invested more than $9.7 billion this year on science, research and innovation.

“Over the last two Budgets we announced targeted investments of more than $230 million in science, including securing the ongoing operation of vital scientific assets like the RV Investigator and promoting science in the community,” she said.

“We have also consulted widely to develop ways to boost our national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capability, and are determined to increase the number of students studying STEM subjects in schools and universities and taking STEM skills into the workforce.

“That’s why we’re investing $12 million to improve the focus on these subjects in primary and secondary schools through the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda.”