Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, today said that the over 630 submissions received into the Review of the National Innovation System showed just how important Australians consider innovation policy to be in shaping their future.
"The overwhelming response to the Review confirms what Labor has been saying for years – that a strong, robust and truly national innovation system is crucial to securing Australia's future prosperity," Senator Carr said.
"It is crucial to maintaining economic growth and crucial to tackling the challenges of the 21st century – like climate change and our ageing population.
"The response shows that after a decade of neglect in innovation policy by the Howard Government, there are a lot of Australians anxious to put the country back on track."
Senator Carr sent a strong vote of thanks to the researchers, scientists, learned academies, industry bodies, companies and everyday Australians who had written submissions and/or attended innovation road shows held across the country – where over 1,000 people attended.
The breakdown of public submissions was: industry - 47%, research and public sector research organisations - 28%, private individuals - 14%, and government - 9%.
"The Rudd Government shares this enthusiasm for innovation and the Review Panel is now burning the midnight oil assessing the content and implications of all the submissions," Senator Carr said.
"The submissions are the key to developing policy for a strong national innovation system and the key securing high-wage, high-skill jobs for the future.
"In today's economy, innovation policy is industry policy, so we need to get it right and we intend to do so."
The Review of Australia's National Innovation System is an independent exercise being led by Dr Terry Cutler. A 'Green Paper' will be provided to the Government detailing policy options by 31 July 2008 and used as the basis for the development of a Government 'White Paper'.
Submissions can be viewed at www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview
Media contact: Patrick Pantano, Minister's Office, 0417 181 936