Regular news from state and federal governments.
- ARC grants announced
- BioMelbourne Network launched
- South Australia to investigate GM crops
- Stem cell Bill passes through House of Reps
- Synchrotron on track for 2007 launch
- Victoria launches manufacturing programmes
ARC grants announced
2 October – Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson has announced 1,252 new projects to be funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) from next year. Of these projects research in biotechnology features prominently, spanning two of the four priority areas identified by the Government.
One grant awarded by the ARC is to medical technology company Compumedics Ltd, in conjunction with The University of Technology Sydney. The grant, to develop vehicle-based warning devices, aims to counter driver fatigue. Compumedics Executive Chairman David Burton reported that the company has developed substantial expertise in physiological indicators of sleep, via analysing many patient sleep studies over a number of years. This knowledge will now be used to develop devices to detect driver drowsiness early, to prevent often serious consequences. Under the study, Compumedics and UTS will consider effective ways of gathering movement data associated with driving, by evaluating different sensor combinations. A negative result in a driver assessment task would trigger an alarm or other safety intervention. The company's expertise in monitoring brain activity will also be used.
[Source: Ministerial Media Release, and Compumedics Company Announcement]
BioMelbourne Network launched
7 October – The BioMelbourne Network, a collaboration between Victoria's Government, business and research community, has received $750,000 over three years from the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government to become an independent biotechnology agency. The Network, established early in 2001, aims to promote the specific interests of Victoria's biotechnology sector. The new funds will be directed towards developing the Network as a first point of contact for any biotechnology company seeking to establish business networks in Victoria. It will also act as a national and international trade development agency, to promote the expansion of Victoria's biotechnology industries and attract investment to the State.
BioMelbourne also announces the appointment of Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty as the inaugural science patron of the Network. In holding the position, Professor Doherty's role will be to assist the Network in fostering stronger links with the science community. Professor Doherty reports he is looking forward to building stronger links between science and business sectors.
[Source: BioMelbourne Release]
South Australia to investigate GM crops
26 September – South Australia's House of Assembly has established a Select Committee on Genetically Modified Organisms. The Committee, chaired by Rory McEwen MP, will inquire into the impact of GM plant technology on human health, the environment and market access. A major task of the committee will be to investigate how GM plants might have a different impact in the state compared to the rest of Australia. It will also review relevant national and international reports on GM plants and advise on strategies that the state should adopt to address these issues. Further information is available from the Committee's website.
[Source: R&D Info]
Stem cell Bill passes through House of Reps
25 September – Members of the Federal House of Representatives have voted by a three-to-one majority to approve research on stem cells taken from human embryos. The conscience vote, in which parliamentarians were free to vote independent of party preferences, was one of the most emotive and controversial in recent years. The law, which will enable research on spare embryos created for IVF, has now progressed to the Senate, where it is being reviewed by a committee. If the law is rejected by the senate, the State's Governments have promised to pass laws to enable research to continue.
[Source: Reuters]
Synchrotron on track for 2007 launch
2 October – Victorian Minister for Innovation John Brumby announces that site preparation works have begun at Monash University for the synchrotron project, indicating the project is on track for completion by early 2007. Additionally, the Government is soon to launch a call for expressions of interest to construct the outer buildings of the synchrotron, which is expected to generate over 700 jobs and $65m a year for the state's economy. Major construction works at the site are due to commence by June next year. Once completed, the synchrotron is hoped to assist in developing Australian R&D, including drug design and advanced manufacturing.
[Source: Ministerial Media Release]
Victoria launches manufacturing programmes
26 September – The Victorian Government has launched a new manufacturing programme, with $8.1m being allocated to five programs to encourage export and innovation in the industry. The new programs, which form part of the $27m Agenda for New Manufacturing, are to provide matching funds to individual companies, groups of companies or industry associations. They are divided into two groups: Growing Exports programs, and Accelerating Innovation programs. More information on this initiative is available at the Victorian Government's business site.
