Govt consults on boosting the commercial returns from research

A key element of the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda has begun consultation, with the Australian Government releasing the discussion paper ‘Boosting the Commercial Returns from Research’.

The paper focuses on translating Australian research success into economic outcomes via initiatives to better capitalise on Australia’s research strengths, including possible changes to research funding to foster greater collaboration between universities and industry.

The joint review by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and the Minister for Industry, the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, aligns with the government’s measures to reform the higher education sector and to realise the potential of health and other research.

As part of ‘Boosting commercial returns from research’ policy, the government has established a Commonwealth Science Council which will, as one of its first tasks, advise on national priorities for science and research. The discussion paper also details a number of proposals which are designed to ensure our research effort is supporting the translation of research into commercial outcomes. These include:

• Improving incentives for collaboration;
• Supporting research infrastructure;
• Improving access to publicly funded research;
• Increasing industry-relevant research training; and
• Improving assessment of the research system.

The government is keen to consult the business and research communities on these proposals and invites responses to the issues and options raised in the discussion paper. Submissions can be made direct until the 28 November. AusBiotech members are invited to contribute to the AusBiotech submission, with comments sent by 26 November to Lorraine Chiroiu (lchiroiu@ausbiotech.org).

For more information regarding the ‘Boosting the Commercial Returns from Research’ discussion paper, and direct submission details, click here