The Mitchell viewpoint

Dr Graham Mitchell is in a unique position to comment on biotechnology in Victoria. As one of the four scientists in biotech consultancy Foursight Associates (the others include Sir Gustav Nossal, Dr John Stocker and Professor David Pennington), he is one of the chief scientific advisers to the Victorian government.

Mitchell is an adviser in Science, Engineering and Technology for the State of Victoria and a member of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KISE) Council, in the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD).

In addition, the principals at Foursight comprise the chief scientists of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE).

Mitchell also serves on a number of advisory boards for biotech companies and for biotechnology investment funds.

"Historically, Victoria has been known as the medical research capital of Australia," said Mitchell, adding that a very significant proportion of NHMRC money comes to the state's medical research institutes.

He said that this has naturally led to a strong biotechnology emphasis.

Mitchell believes that the Victorian state government has been doing a great job supporting the biotechnology industry.

"The STI initiative by the Victorian government is a good example of the current Labour government picking up and continuing a Kennett government initiative," he said, adding that it set a good example for how a new government could manage existing programs.

Mitchell said that he expects it to be even bigger and bolder the next time there is a change of government.

"Continuation is an important part."

He also believes that the involvement of the Premier and other senior Ministers sets the tone for the initiative. Premier Bracks is the chair of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Engineering (KISE) council, with John Brumby, Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, also a major player.

"The fact that the premier is there really sets the pace and gets people in," he said, adding that it is analogous to the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council (PMSEC).

"The highest level of government is listening to advice from the taskforce," said Mitchell explaining that the councils form a conduit straight to the top of the government.

Mitchell also stressed the importance of awareness between the state and the federal governments. He is a member of CSTACI, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Advisory Council for Innovation, which provides a forum for coordinating the activities at the state and federal levels.

Victoria's other representative is Jane Niall, who heads up the biotechnology initiative for the state government Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

He said that as the amount of money involved in innovative enterprises like biotech is very significant, awareness of what everyone else is doing is crucial.

"Australia has to do things well to get its bang for the buck," Mitchell said.

"Hopefully, this kind of body will help create timelines that allow states to play individual strengths as well as form networks with other states."

"The endeavour from the Victorian government is welcome and timely and in my view appropriate," said Mitchell.

"The Victorian government is doing a very good job in highlighting the importance of the STI initiative," he said. He also applauded their efforts at facilitating commercialisation, despite the fact that the government could only play a limited role in the process.

"Governments, by direct grant support and tax concessions, can create an environment conducive to commercialisation in these very high risk growth areas," he explained, adding that although taxes are a federal government responsibility, states have a role in highlighting the issues to the federal government.

According to Mitchell, it also involves a balancing act of supporting current programs and strengths while developing new ones.

"The Victorian government can hold its head up on its approach to getting the balance right," said Mitchell.

Mitchell sees the government as having a role in prioritising the needs of the biotechnology industry and helping to facilitate solutions.

"A big role for advisors to the government is to get some indication of priorities and needs," he claimed.

One of the key priority areas is the infrastructure, he says.

"The infrastructure in Victoria is entirely adequate in places," he said, adding that the Universities have the major concerns. He pointed out that the STI initiative has focused on the development of suitable infrastructure.

"The state has to constantly invest in infrastructure," he said.

"There is nothing worse for a researcher than thinking they can't do a particular experiment because they don't have the equipment or facilities they need," he added.

He said that the costs of installing state of the art infrastructure mean that a lot of sharing will be needed.

Another priority on Mitchell's shopping list is making the life of a research scientist more rewarding.

"It is very hard to be creative if you are looking over your shoulder and wondering where the next dollar is coming from," he said. He advocates better structures for reward and recognition.

"It could be as simple as increasing the levels of remuneration," Mitchell said, adding that scientists are fundamentally underpaid, especially considering the contribution they make to society.

According to Mitchell, there should be structures in place to promote and reward innovation, performance and risk taking. He also thinks that the development of management skills is important for scientists interested in entrepreneurial endeavours.

Encouraging teamwork is a third priority for Mitchell.

"The old image of the lone, batty scientist has long gone," he said, explaining that scientists are starting to find teamwork and collaboration attractive ways of doing science.

"In my view, we need to create systems to recognise the team and teamwork," he said.

"The capacity to do your part well in a team should be recognised as this is the reality of modern science."

Mitchell says that one thing that needs to be instilled in scientists these days is the ability to recognise commercial potential.

"There is still a need for creativity and brilliance, but that's a given," he said.

"Scientists need to look out for a hint of commerciality."

He said that while our universities are getting better at encouraging commercialisation, the key to it is the scientist, who needs to be intimately involved with the process.

"Commercialisation departments need to be highly facilitative and allow entrepreneurial scientists to flourish," Mitchell stressed.