Regular news from state and federal governments.
- Federal Government announces record funding for Cooperative Research Centres
- NSW Government commits A$2.6m to Bio-Link business alliance
- Prime Minister announces national research priorities
- Queensland invites applications for $100m research fund
- Research Centres of Excellence announced
- SA Government launches Biocatalyst Program
- Senate passes human embryo research bill
- Victorian Innovation Economy Advisory Board members announced
Federal Government announces record funding for Cooperative Research Centres
10 December – The Federal Government will provide more than A$478m for world-class research under the 2002 Cooperative Research Centres programme. The 30 successful CRCs will fund research into information and communication technology, mining and energy, agriculture and rural-based manufacturing, the environment, and medical science and technology. According to Science Minister Peter McGuaran, 'CRCs help Australia to maintain a competitive position in leading-edge technology by providing businesses with opportunities to work with research institutions and to focus on research relevant to Australia's needs'. The round of funding will encourage collaboration between universities, research organisations, government agencies and industry. Further information about the CRC programme is available at the CRC's central website.
[Source – Government Media Release]
NSW Government commits A$2.6m to Bio-Link business alliance
10 December – NSW Premier Bob Carr has committed A$2.6m to the Government's Bio-Link project, an alliance of NSW research organisations, hospitals and businesses. The funding is part of the NSW Government's A$68m BioFirst strategy. The foundation participants of Bio-Link, the Garvan Institute, Westmead Research Hub and Hunter Medical Research Institute, have already committed more than A$800,000 to the programme. Bio-Link's Founder and Chairman, Dr Jonathan Izant, says 'Bio-Link helps fill the serious gap between basic research and business outcomes. It is an innovative strategy and a unique partnership'.
[Source – Bio-Link Media Release]
Prime Minister announces national research priorities
5 December – The Federal Government has for the first time set national research priorities for Australia. The Prime Minister announced that four aspirational priorities have been selected:
- an environmentally sustainable Australia
- promoting and maintaining good health
- frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries
- safeguarding Australia
The Government foreshadowed the setting of national research priorities in its Innovation Statement, Backing Australia's Ability, released in 2001. Further details of the priorities are available online.
[Source – Ministerial Media Release]
Queensland invites applications for $100m research fund
17 December – The Queensland Government has invited applications for the second round of its $100m Smart State Research Facilities Fund. Under the first round of funding, announced earlier this year, research programs in bioengineering, nanotechnology and health and biomedical innovation were funded. Applications for the funds close on 3 March 2003.
[Source: Ministerial Announcement]
Research Centres of Excellence announced
12 December – Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, has announced over $90m of new funding, part of the Government's Backing Australia's Ability package. The funds will be used to create eight Centres of Excellence, which have been chosen by the Australian Research Council. Two of the four priority areas of the scheme are biotechnology-related: Genome/Phenome Research and Nanomaterials and Bio-materials. Centres to receive funds in these priority areas include:
- Biotechnology and Development, directed by Professor RJ Aitken at The University of Newcastle ($9.5m)
- Autonomous Systems, directed by Professor HF Durrant-Whyte at The University of Sydney, Sydney ($11.5m)
[Source – Ministerial Media Release]
SA Government launches Biocatalyst Program
11 December – A new Bio Innovation SA initiative, the Biocatalyst Program, will boost South Australian start-up and early stage biotechnology companies. Existing Bio Innovation SA funds will be used to help these companies commercialise their promising inventions and discoveries. Grants will be provided on a dollar for dollar basis of up to A$250,000 for biotechnology projects. The aims of the program, which will run from 203 to 2005, are to assist South Australian biotechnology companies to commercialise their technology; decrease the cost to these companies of demonstrating the viability of their technology; and help attract private sector investment. Applications for projects up to A$80,000 can be submitted at any time. Applications for projects $80,000 and over must be submitted by 14 February 2003.
[Source: BioInnovation SA Announcement]
Senate passes human embryo research bill
5 December – After a marathon debate the Senate has passed the Research Involving Human Embryos Bill 2002. The Bill, passed by the House of Representatives last September, was the subject of some of the longest and most heated debate in Senate history. In a conscience vote, Senators voted 45 to 26 in favour of allowing stem cell research to be conducted on unwanted IVF embryos. The Prime Minister has described as minor the amendments adopted in the Senate.
[Source – The Age – Darren Gray]
Victorian Innovation Economy Advisory Board members announced
11 December – Victorian Innovation Minister Mr John Brumby has announced the members of the new Innovation Economy Advisory Board. Mr Brumby says the Board members will have a wide-ranging agenda to drive innovation in Victoria. The members include Professor Peter Doherty, Professor Alan Trounson, BHP Steel Chairman Mr Graham Kraehe, and Novell Asia Pacific President Ms Rhonda O'Donnell. Mr Brumby will chair the Board and Mr Stuart Hamilton AO will be its CEO. Mr Brumby says innovation is vital to a modern economy and that 'the Bracks Government is determined to drive innovation across the entire economy'. The new Board will draw together Victorian and international leaders in innovation to advise the Government how best to foster innovation in Victoria. To this end, the Government says the Board will develop strategies, challenge current directions, raise Victoria's profile as an innovative economy, lead and coordinate innovative action, and build strategic national and international links to identify opportunities for Victoria. The full list of Board members can be viewed at the Department of Premier and Cabinet's website.
[Source – Government Media Release]
