CRC review released

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has welcomed the release of the review of Australia's Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program as an important contribution to the broader examination of Australia’s National Innovation System.

The CRC review was undertaken by Professor Mary O’Kane, who was supported by the Collaboration Working Group of the National Innovation System Review. That review is now due to report to the government by 29 August 2008, providing a green paper to be released shortly thereafter.

The government will be considering the recommendations of the CRC review along with those from the review of the National Innovation System, and will respond with a white paper later this year.

"The CRC program was established under the Hawke government in 1990. Over that time it has been extraordinarily successful, with the Australian government committing nearly $3 billion to establish 168 CRCs. CRCs have also produced over 4650 industry-ready postgraduates, including over 2460 graduates with PhDs," Senator Carr said.

"However, over recent years the focus and emphasis of the program has shifted.

"The previous government cut public interest research out of the program. We committed to filling that void and this report lays out the options for reviving the CRC program.

"This review has provided a timely opportunity for all stakeholders to assess the focus of the program. It has given everyone a chance to think about how we can improve CRCs to ensure they deliver the best possible outcomes for researchers, industry and the entire Australian community."

The review makes recommendations in relation to:

• funding and frequency of selection rounds;
• objectives of the program; broadening participation;
• co-funding arrangements; program administration;
• evaluation arrangements; and
• the positioning and integration of CRCs within the National Innovation System.

The review also recommends the creation of a new program to support the development of closer relationships in those industries and sectors where little collaboration currently occurs.

"We need to make a greater effort to bring researchers and innovative companies together — it is vital to a healthy innovation system, but an area in which Australia has been falling further behind our competitors over recent years.

“Breaking down barriers and drawing upon different skills, perspectives and experiences lies at the heart of the CRC philosophy," Senator Carr said.

More information about the CRC review, including the report, can be found here.