Science Industry Action Agenda endorsed by government

The federal government endorsed the recommendations of the Science Industry Action Agenda Measure by Measure report on July 12, giving the go ahead for the eight recommendations made in the report to be implemented.

Launched in February 2004, the Action Agenda is part of a federal government initiative set up to review issues the industry faces, such as impediments to growth, and recommend ways of approaching these issues and promoting the growth and development of the sector.

"The two largest or most important recommendations are firstly, the enhanced uptake of R&D commercialisation from public institutions," said Alan Lawrenson, executive director of Science Industry Australia (SIA), which has been a major force behind getting the Action Agenda up and running. "The second is the development of export markets and export opportunities."

A three year implementation phase of these recommendations will be formally launched by the minister for industry, tourism and resources, Ian Macfarlane, on August 31 in Sydney, and by the parliamentary secretary to the minister, Gary Nairn, in Melbourne on September 2. The Measure by Measure report will be released in the public domain at the launch.

According to SIA, the Action Agenda promises to advance the size, status and effectiveness of the Australian science industry over the three-year implementation phase.

This implementation phase will be overseen by the Implementation Group (IG), which will be chaired by Emeritus Prof Chris Fell and will comprise 20 members. The IG will be supported by four working groups: Marketing and Technology Services; R&D Commercialisation; Export; and Regulatory, Training and Workplace Practices.

The SIA has been appointed secretary for the ongoing implementation process and has received some funding from the government for this role.

"We are also in discussions with DEST and others to obtain additional funding so as to enhance SIA resources to do the job effectively," Lawrenson said.

An implementation plan has been developed in conjunction with government and awaits formal acceptance by the IG at its first meeting.