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Australian Innovation System Report 2012

Compendium of Program Updates

Australian Innovation System Report 2012 - Compendium of Program Updates - 1 -

Acknowledgements

The Department wishes to acknowledge the contributions received from Australian, State and Territory government departments, businesses and other private organisations, universities and publicly funded research organisations.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2012

ISBN: 978-1-922125-63-7

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the copyright act 1968, no part may be reproduced or altered by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601 or by emailing [email protected].

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this document was current at the time it was provided by departments and agencies and highlights updates on existing programs as well as new programs. It should be read in conjunction with the Australian Innovation System Report 2012.

Further Information

For further information about any of these initiatives, please follow the web links provided, or make contact directly with the relevant department or agency. This information is not a comprehensive overview of all government initiatives that support innovation. For a more complete view, the reader is encouraged to visit the Australian Government’s www.business.gov.au; www.arc.gov.au and www.grantslink.gov.au websites.


http://www.grantslink.gov.au/

http://www.arc.gov.au/

http://www.business.gov.au/

mailto:[email protected]

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................2Further Information........................................................................................................2NEW PROGRAMS AND POLICY UPDATES FOR 2012..........................................8

Research and skills.....................................................................................................9Business innovation..................................................................................................11Links and collaboration............................................................................................12Public sector and social innovation..........................................................................13

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE (AIMS).................................15Arafura Timor Research Facility (ATRF)................................................................15ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies..................................................15Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program (MMP)..................................................16NERP Tropical Ecosystems (NERP TE) Hub..........................................................16The Integrated Marine Observing System...............................................................16Western Australia Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)........................................17AIMS@JCU.............................................................................................................17

AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION (ANSTO)......................................................................................................................18

ANSTOs Graduate Development Program..............................................................18Australian Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Centre...............................18A new era for Australian biomedical research and imaging: The National Imaging Facility Research Cyclotron.....................................................................................19BioGill......................................................................................................................19ANSTO Minerals and Rare Earths...........................................................................20Neutron research facilities........................................................................................20Research networks....................................................................................................20Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering........................................21Memoranda of Understanding..................................................................................21REVIEWS AND/OR EVALUATIONS...................................................................23

AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)........................................................24Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre..................24Special research initiative for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network....................................................................................................................24Discovery Indigenous...............................................................................................24Discovery Early Career Researcher Award.............................................................25Excellence in Research for Australia.......................................................................25Industrial Transformation Training Centres.............................................................27Industrial Transformation Research Program..........................................................28Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science.................................................28

AUSTRALIAN WORKFORCE AND PRODUCTIVITY AGENCY........................29The National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF)...........................................29

COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO)........................................................................................30

Flagship Collaboration Fund....................................................................................30CSIRO science outreach...........................................................................................31Small to Medium Enterprise – Engagement Centre.................................................31Australian Growth Partnerships...............................................................................32Precincts...................................................................................................................32CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence..........................................................................33Human Services Delivery Research Alliance..........................................................33

IP AUSTRALIA...........................................................................................................35


Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention Exhibition.............................................35Vocational Education and Training (VET)..............................................................35Accountants..............................................................................................................36Improving the IP system..........................................................................................36REVIEWS AND/OR EVALUATIONS...................................................................38Collaborations between the Public and Private Sectors: The Role of Intellectual Property....................................................................................................................38Review of the Innovation Patent System.................................................................38Review of the Designs System.................................................................................39

AUSTRADE.................................................................................................................40Austrade’s work in innovation.................................................................................40

NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NHMRC)........42NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health – Partnership Centres...............................42Urgent call for research (UCR) - Hendra Virus.......................................................42NHMRC – California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Collaborative Research Grants.......................................................................................................................43NHMRC A*STAR joint call for research................................................................44Tripartite agreement with Canadian Institute of Health Research and Health Research Council of New Zealand...........................................................................44National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) / Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) - Request for applications on Hypertension in Low and Middle Income Countries.........................................................................................45

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHING AND FORESTRY (DAFF).........46Securing a Clean Energy Future...............................................................................46

DEPARTMENT OF BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY (DBCDE)................................................................................................47

ICT Centre of Excellence Program..........................................................................47Business innovation..................................................................................................47Links and collaboration............................................................................................48Public sector and social innovation..........................................................................49

DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT...............................50Smart Infrastructure Awards....................................................................................50An agreed national policy framework for intelligent transport systems in Australia..................................................................................................................................51National Smart Managed Motorways Program........................................................51Liveable Cities program...........................................................................................52

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY.............53Climate change science in Australia........................................................................53Clean Energy Future plan.........................................................................................53

DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES (DSEWPaC)................................................55

Reef Rescue..............................................................................................................55Mobile apps for environmental information............................................................56Social media integration in stakeholder engagement for the Caring for our Country review.......................................................................................................................56Working on Country and Indigenous Protected Areas National Cybertracker Project..................................................................................................................................57Strategic assessments...............................................................................................58

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TERTIARY EDUCATION (DIISRTE).......................................................................59


Australian Space Research Program........................................................................59Automotive Transformation Scheme.......................................................................59Business Online Services.........................................................................................59Business.gov.au........................................................................................................60Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program..................................60Clean Technology Innovation Program...................................................................61Clean Technology Investment Program...................................................................61Clean Technology Program......................................................................................61Clothing and Household Textile (Building Innovative Capability) scheme............62Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) program.................................................62Commercialisation Australia....................................................................................62Cooperative Research Centres Impact Study...........................................................63Cooperative Research Centres program...................................................................65CRC Star Award 2012..............................................................................................66Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership Program.....................................66Focusing Australia’s Publicly Funded Research Review........................................66Green Car Innovation Fund......................................................................................67IBM Research and Development Laboratory...........................................................67Industry Innovation Councils...................................................................................68Innovation Investment Follow-on Fund...................................................................68Innovation Investment Fund.....................................................................................69Joint Research Engagement Grant – Engineering Cadetships.................................69Mission-based compacts..........................................................................................70New Air Combat Capability-Industry Support Program..........................................71Policy development on Australia’s use of satellites.................................................71Pooled Development Funds Program.......................................................................71Pre-seed Fund...........................................................................................................72R&D Tax Incentive..................................................................................................72Sustainable Research Excellence.............................................................................72Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Capability Program................................73Textile, Clothing and Footwear Small Business Program.......................................73The Research Workforce Strategy...........................................................................73The Steel Transformation Plan.................................................................................74Venture Capital Limited Partnership Program.........................................................75Workforce Innovation Program...............................................................................75

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY GOVERNMENT......................................76Entrepreneur Development Fund.............................................................................76

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT..............................................................................77Skills and research capacity.....................................................................................77Business innovation: The Queensland Business Innovation Survey 2011..............77

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT...................................................................78Research Attraction and Acceleration Program.......................................................78Establishing new capabilities: Centre for International Finance and Regulation....78Establishing New Capabilities: Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation........79NSW Social Benefit Bonds......................................................................................79Industry Action Plans...............................................................................................79Collaborative Solutions Program Round 2...............................................................80International technology connections.......................................................................80NSW TechVouchers Program..................................................................................80Environmental sustainability & social housing........................................................81


Cross-portfolio innovation.......................................................................................81REVIEWS AND/OR EVALUATIONS...................................................................83NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review............................................83Review of the NSW Government Procurement system...........................................83

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT...................................................................................84Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative...................................................................84Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future...............................................................84Health Market Validation Program..........................................................................85Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program........................................................86Victorian Technology Trade and International Partnering program........................87Digital Futures Fund.................................................................................................87Broadband Enabled Innovation Program.................................................................88Investing in Manufacturing Technology..................................................................88Collaborative Networks Pilot Program....................................................................89Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.......................................89Industry Innovation Program - Supporting innovation links and collaboration.......90Public sector innovation...........................................................................................90

TASMANIA GOVERNMENT....................................................................................92The CSIRO’s Intelligent Sensing and Systems Laboratory and University of Tasmania’s Human Interface Technology Lab (update)..........................................92Business Ready (new)..............................................................................................93Business Tasmania Online (new).............................................................................93The National Broadband Network (update).............................................................94Collaboration Agreement between the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Innovation Research Centre (update).........................................................................................94Tasmanian Government and University of Tasmania Partnership Agreement........95Cultural Tourism - Arts Tourism Strategy (update).................................................95Tasmanian Government Approach to Collaboration...............................................95Tasmanian Government Science Research Strategy – ‘Reaching Our Potential, Developing Tasmania’s Science Research Capability’............................................96Digital Futures (update)...........................................................................................96Digital Epicentre (new)............................................................................................96Community Services Hubs.......................................................................................97

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT.................................................................98South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.........................................98The South Australian Aquatic Biosecurity Centre...................................................99Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing.........................................................99Flinders University Tonsley Park expansion...........................................................99Sustainable Industries Education Centre..................................................................99Mining and Engineering Centre.............................................................................100Skills for All...........................................................................................................100MEGA....................................................................................................................101The Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund.........................................................101Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub................................101Medical Device Partnering Program......................................................................102Bio Innovation SA (BioSA)...................................................................................102

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT.........................................................104Rare Disease Strategy (Public Health)...................................................................104Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information...........................................104


Fitzroy Communities Housing...............................................................................104Collie Hub Project..................................................................................................105Western Australian Innovator of the Year Awards 2011.......................................106Innovation Vouchers Program...............................................................................106Ignition program.....................................................................................................107RD-CONNECT (Public Health).............................................................................107RARE-Bestpractice (Public Health).......................................................................108Landgate Joint Venture – Earthmine Australia......................................................108GeoMap.WA Software...........................................................................................109Global Rare Disease Networks (Public Health).....................................................110Landgate Spatial Sciences Studio..........................................................................110Western Australian Public Sector Innovation Working Group..............................111Aboriginal Heritage Electronic Lodgements Program...........................................111WA Health Quality Incentive Program (Performance Activity & Quality)...........112HealthTracks (Public Health).................................................................................112Landgate Innovation Program and Innovation out of a Box..................................112Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework......................113Human Resources Capability Framework for the WA Public Sector....................114Foundations in Government Human Resources.....................................................114Remote Areas Licensing Program..........................................................................114Aboriginal innovation schools...............................................................................115Independent publics schools...................................................................................116AFS Logicwall.......................................................................................................116Structural Insulated Panel System pilot projects....................................................1172012 Property Council of Australia Awards for Innovation & Excellence...........117Approvals reform for the Resources Sector...........................................................119The Partnership Forum...........................................................................................119Social Innovation Grants Program.........................................................................120Funding and contracting reforms...........................................................................121My Life, My Way’ – Self Directed Services Design.............................................121


NEW PROGRAMS AND POLICY UPDATES FOR 2012

This compendium is an outline of new or significant developments in government initiatives that foster innovation. It has been compiled based on updates received from various government departments and agencies for the Australian Innovation System Report 2012. It includes more than two hundred initiatives or activities. The Australian Government share of these initiatives in terms of numbers is around 40%.

This compendium is not a comprehensive overview of all government initiatives that support innovation. For a more complete view, the reader is encouraged to visit the Australian Government’s www.business.gov.au; www.arc.gov.au and www.grantslink.gov.au websites.

In 2009, in Powering Ideas; an Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century, the Australian Government committed itself to a ten-year horizon with the objective to build a stronger national innovation system. This undertaking involved the setting of seven national priorities on improving skills and expanding research capacity; increasing innovation in business, government and the community sector; and boosting domestic and international collaboration for the purpose of innovation and the on the production, diffusion and application of new knowledge.

The National Innovation Priorities were to complement Australia’s National Research Priorities, which were focused on public sector research. For six of the seven National Innovation Priorities, specific targets were set and progress against these targets has been reported in each of the successive Australian Innovation System Reports.

The Australian Government’s National Innovation Priorities(announced in Powering Ideas in May 2009)Priority 1: Public research funding supports high-quality research that addresses national challenges and opens up new opportunities. Target: The Australian Government’s ambition is to increase the number of

research groups performing at world-class levels, as measured by international performance benchmarks.

Priority 2: Australia has a strong base of skilled researchers to support the national research effort in both the public and private sectors. Target: The Australian Government’s objective is to significantly increase the

number of students completing higher degrees by research over the next decade.

Priority 3: The innovation system fosters industries of the future, securing value from the commercialisation of Australian research and development. Target: The Australian Government aims to see a continuing increase in the

number of businesses investing in R&D.Priority 4: More effective dissemination of new technologies, processes, and ideas increases innovation across the economy, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. Target: The Australian Government’s goal is to achieve a 25 per cent

increase in the proportion of businesses engaging in innovation over the next decade.

Priority 5: The innovation system encourages a culture of collaboration within the research sector and between researchers and industry.


http://www.grantslink.gov.au/

http://www.arc.gov.au/

http://www.business.gov.au/

Target: The Australian Government’s ambition is to double the level of collaboration between Australian businesses, universities and publicly-funded research agencies over the next decade.

Priority 6: Australian researchers and businesses are involved in more international collaborations on research and development. Target: The Australian Government has adopted the long-term aim of

increasing international collaboration in research by Australian universities.Priority 7: The public and community sectors work with others in the innovation system to improve policy development and service delivery.

To make progress towards achieving these targets, the Australian Government has implemented a number of programs and initiatives. State and Territory Governments also implement a number of innovation focused initiatives and programs. Many of these are complementary to those delivered by the Australian Government and there are significant efforts to maintain a high level of coordination both within the Australian Government, through the Coordinating Committee on Innovation, and across governments, through the Commonwealth, State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation. While Australian Government programs have a national focus, the programs of the state and territory governments respond more to regional issues. As the large number of new programs and policy updates suggest, there is a considerable level of activity in the area of government support for innovation. Areas of common activity include supporting innovation through:

Business management and other skills development; Health and health related issues and services; Environmental issues such as clean technology; Technology and trade; Partnerships and collaborations; and Network and precinct creation and building.

Government programs aim to facilitate access to seed finance; provide incentives for direct business investment in R&D and innovation; support workforce development; and develop fairer, more productive and innovative workplaces. Governments are also helping firms become more capable and self sufficient including through providing support for businesses and individuals to build capability through innovation, science, skills acquisition, research and collaboration.

Research and skills

There are significant numbers of government research, skills development and education policies and programs across Australia. Areas of research seem to be quite diverse ranging from space, biotechnology and health, to resources. The focus of these policies tends to be funding research infrastructure and/or funding quality research activities. Skills and capability development is being promoted using a range of technologies, as well as the development of structured learning frameworks and programs to fill critical skills gaps at a national, regional or sectoral level. In addition governments across Australia have created research institutions and skills development bodies that are themselves innovating.


The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been developing new nuclear, biomedical and environmental technologies. Its new National Imaging Facility (NIF) Research Cyclotron for biomedical imaging, which was opened in December 2011, enables scientists and medical practitioners to better see inside the body in search for causes of diseases. ANSTO also commercialised its ground breaking water cleansing technology in early 2012. The technology was sold to the Australian clean-tech company, BioGill Environmental Pty Ltd. The technology has numerous industrial and environmental applications, including the treatment of grey water, sewage and wastewater for aquaculture, and food and beverage processing.

The Research Workforce Strategy provides a framework for the Government to meet Australia’s research workforce challenges. The strategy covers the decade to 2020, considering the key challenges and opportunities for Australia’s research workforce. The overarching objective of the strategy is to develop a strong and productive research workforce to support the Government’s innovation agenda. The implementation of the strategy over the next decade will involve collaboration between governments, universities and other research training providers and public and private researcher employers.

The Australian Government’s Industry Innovation Councils contributed to the design, delivery and accreditation of skills for management, the workforce and students. For example, the Information Technology (IT) Council collaborated with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority on the development of a national curriculum for ICT. The Council has also contributed to the development of the Research Workforce Strategy and more recently to the Australian Workforce Productivity Agency’s Australia’s skills & workforce development needs discussion paper. The Council stressed the importance of recognising changing skills needs in a digital economy. The IT Council also supported the development of a national framework providing global accreditation for Australian ICT trained professionals who undertake planned and structured professional development through accredited courses which was led by the Australian Computer Society. The majority of these councils are winding up at the end of 2012.

The Joint Research Engagement (JRE) Grant – Engineering Cadetships is a new element within the existing JRE scheme which enables participating higher education institutions to support the research training costs associated with higher degree by research students undertaking a cadetship in areas of engineering or science. Cadetships will involve a combination of formal research training (research doctorate or research masters) with the institution and concurrent employment by a business to carry out R&D activities. The JRE Grant - Engineering Cadetship scheme will run from 2012 to 2015 with the Australian Government providing funds from within the JRE scheme over this period.

The Australian Space Research Program (ASRP) is a government initiative with the objective to develop Australia’s niche space capabilities by supporting space-related research, innovation and skills in areas of national significance or excellence. The ASRP funding supports collaborative space research and innovation projects, on the one hand, and student projects and educational activities, on the other.


Skills for All is a South Australian Government initiative for vocational education and training. The program objectives are to: raise the skills level of South Australians; increase the number of South Australians with post school qualifications; and increase labour force participation. Fundamental to this initiative will be a renewed partnership with industry with a strong commitment to maximising investment in workforce training.

Another initiative is the joint investment by Defence South Australia and the University of Adelaide to construct a new facility in the University of Adelaide’s world-leading Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS). The facility which is due for completion by early 2013 will house a unique suite of trans-disciplinary laboratories which will boost science teaching and research.

Business innovation

The Australian Government manages many of the framework conditions required to facilitate business innovation, including an appropriate taxation system, financial system, labour relations, and market competition and openness. The business regulatory environment is distributed across governments as it often requires a more granular approach.

There are also many government initiatives that directly support or encourage business innovation across Australia. Technologies are being used to assist in the delivery of business services through portals and utilising emerging technologies, and aligning with the deployment of the National Broadband Network (NBN). Governments provide a diverse range of grants and services to businesses in an attempt to foster a culture of innovation, build innovation capacity in firms, fund innovation activities or encourage investment in innovation by third parties.

The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest program supporting the government's goal of lifting the number of innovating and R&D-performing businesses and opened for registration on 1 July 2012. It provides an incentive to address market failures connected with undertaking R&D. The incentive provides financial support to encourage Australian companies to undertake additional R&D activities. This will deliver wider benefits to the economy and society.

New and emerging technology applications are also underpinning initiatives such as space research, biotechnology developments and the more effective use of ICT. National ICT Australia (NICTA), as Australia’s information and communications technology Centre of Excellence, is a major Australian Government investment in Australia’s ICT capabilities. NICTA continues to foster business innovation in the field of ICT. Since its inception, NICTA has enabled the establishment of numerous spin-out companies. In May 2011, its new spin-out company Nitero received funding from Commercialisation Australia to take its 60GHz gigabit wireless technology to the market. In May 2012, NICTA announced the official launch of Scalify, a new Melbourne-based start-up company specialising in peer-to-peer networking technology. NICTA also leads a number of industry clusters, such as the e-Government cluster with both government and industry representation. Through the e-Government cluster, NICTA is organising a conference in which SMEs will have the opportunity to market their innovations to government.


Many initiatives have a specific industry sector focus. Digital Futures Strategy, for example, is an initiative of Tasmanian Government aligned to the Tasmanian NBN roll-out. The Digital Futures Strategy, which runs from 2012 to 2015, is part of the Tasmanian Science Strategy, and is designed to leverage the NBN to create an innovative, sustainable and vibrant Tasmanian Digital Economy.

Another example is the Entrepreneur Development Fund, a pilot program funded by the ACT Government. Having commenced in July 2011, the Entrepreneur Development Fund will run until 31 December 2012. The program is designed to contribute to the costs of skills and knowledge transfer to high-growth potential businesses in the ACT. It is intended to supplement existing ACT and Australian Government grants in facilitating skills and knowledge transfer to potentially high-growth SMEs in the ACT.

Links and collaboration

As research and innovation becomes more complex and costly, it is requiring ever more diverse knowledge inputs. But increased specialisation can lead to reduced diversity of knowledge within firms and other organisations, requiring them to look outside their boundaries for expertise. These collaborative partnerships and ventures are taking place at the local, cross-jurisdictional and international levels. So, governments in Australia recognise the significant scope and need for industry to benefit from the research expertise of government agencies and universities through linkage and collaboration. Many government programs have been specifically designed to encourage research-industry collaboration.

For example, the Australian Government will invest $236 million over five years, through Australian Research Council’s new Industrial Transformation Research Program, to foster collaborative research between businesses and universities in such areas as engineering, materials science and nanotechnology, communications, chemical engineering and biotechnology. The program will also support PhD students and researchers to gain practical skills and experience in these areas.

The CSIRO is administering a program designed to foster collaboration through precincts. The CSIRO Precincts are designed to enable researchers to collaborate across organisational boundaries by co-locating their expertise and creating talent pools with the capacity to resolve complex challenges. These CSIRO precincts seek to create multiplier benefits by both attracting researchers and furthering collaborations. CSIRO is also engaged in setting up Global Precincts to expand and deepen Australia’s global partnerships involving universities, government agencies and industries. The objective of Global Precincts is to help unleash Australia’s innovation potential, improve Australia’s international R&D competitiveness, and position Australia’s innovation system to address world’s emerging complex challenges.

The National Health and Medical Research Council has launched a partnership initiative consisting of two types of award: Partnership Projects and Partnership Centres. The initiative aims to bring teams of researchers and policy and practice decision-makers together to create better health services. The National Health and Medical Research Council has also partnered with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in a collaborative research grants scheme.


Many state and territory governments have recently adopted innovation voucher programs to encourage cross-sector collaboration. The Queensland, NSW, Victorian and Western Australian governments have all adopted or trialled vouchers for areas of regional specialisation. The program generally encourages collaboration between SMEs and other organisations. The Western Australian Government’s Innovation Vouchers Program, launched in November 2011, seeks to assist SMEs to overcome some of the barriers that exist on the path to commercialisation. Under the program, eligible Western Australian-based SMEs have access to up to $20,000 that can be used towards engaging professional skills or services that will help businesses take an idea to a commercial reality.

Public sector and social innovation

It is imperative for the public sector to be innovative in the development of policy and the delivery of services that ultimately provide better quality of life for the community. There is a strong theme throughout many of the initiatives, both Australian Government, and State and Territory governments, on environmental, social or public sector innovation. These include improvements in government service delivery, indigenous education, health and culture, and human and/or animal health (such as vaccine production and Hendra virus research).

An example of government programs for social innovation is the new initiative by CSIRO and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to form a research alliance to improve the government service delivery to millions of Australians. The objective of the Human Services Delivery Research Alliance (HSDRA) is to harness the power of innovative technology and practice to dramatically improve the flexibility and effectiveness of the Human Services portfolio (including Centrelink, Medicare and the Child Support Agency) in delivering services to the Australian community.

Another example is a new initiative by Australian Research Council (ARC) under its Special Research Initiatives scheme. The initiative involves the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network (ATSIRN), a national network which will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers from across Australia, from different research institutions, at different career stages and from a range of disciplines. ATSIRN will be led by experienced Indigenous Australian researchers, who will build research programs and mentor research students and early career researchers working on research that generates understanding about Indigenous knowledge and culture.

State governments have also made moves towards public service innovation. The Victorian Government, for example, has launched an initiative for public service innovation comprising establishment of two strategic advisory committees with a broad-based industry membership to develop strategies that would ensure the government would learn from the innovations in large commercial enterprises. Strategies are due to be released for broader consultation toward the end of 2012. The Western Australian Government has also launched an initiative for public service innovation. The WA Public Sector Innovation Working Group was formed at the request of the State's Executive Coordinating Committee to prepare the WA Public Sector Innovation Action Plan. It includes representatives from a number of state


government agencies, such as the Departments of Commerce, Department of Transport, Public Sector Commission and Indigenous Affairs.


AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE (AIMS)

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is Australia’s tropical marine research agency. Its specialised laboratories and modern research fleet together with highly skilled multidisciplinary research capacity – from microbiology to broad scale ecology and oceanography - provide a unique capacity to improve understanding of these complex ecosystems and position Australia to tackle the challenges facing them. The capacity provided by world renowned staff is enhanced by well-developed national and international partnerships and an active postdoctoral and postgraduate training program. These have secured AIMS’ position as a global leader in tropical marine science. Looking forward AIMS will continue to deliver research that supports marine policy, evidence-based decisions, and regional industry development and will work with stakeholders and research-users to ensure relevance and transfer of its research outputs. An overview of AIMS research is provided in the 2011-2015 Research Plan.

Website for further information:www.aims.gov.au/

AIMS has strong links with users of its research and builds critical mass through an effective network of collaborators (national and global). It delivers a substantial portion of its science through joint ventures, strategic alliances and collaboration, building critical mass and increasing the Institute’s capacity. Examples include:

Arafura Timor Research Facility (ATRF)

The Arafura Timor Research Facility (ATRF) is a joint venture between AIMS and the Australian National University (ANU) that consists of an office and laboratory complex located in Darwin, adjacent to the campus of Charles Darwin University (CDU). The building was funded by the Australian Government as a Major National Research Facility. It opened in 2006 with a mission to support marine science across northern Australia and other countries bordering the Arafura and Timor Seas (Indonesia, New Guinea, and Timor).

Website for further information:www.atrf.org.au

ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was established by the ARC in 2005 creating a partnership among AIMS, ANU, GBRMPA, JCU, the University of Queensland (UQ) and UWA. Following a mid-term review, the Centre was extended to 2013 representing a total investment of almost $22 million by the ARC in this joint venture.

Website for further information:www.coralcoe.org.au


http://www.coralcoe.org.au/

http://www.atrf.org.au/

http://www.aims.gov.au/

Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program (MMP)

The Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program (MMP) supports the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan), which is a $375 million decadal investment (2003-2013) by the Australian and Queensland Governments intended to halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the GBR Lagoon and, in the long term, to ensure no detrimental impact of this water quality on the health and resilience of the GBR ecosystems. The MMP is coordinated by GBRMPA as a partnership between AIMS, CSIRO, JCU, the Northern Fisheries Centre of the Queensland Government, and the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox) based at UQ.

Website for further information:www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science_management/marine_monitoring_program

NERP Tropical Ecosystems (NERP TE) Hub

The NERP Tropical Ecosystems (NERP TE) Hub is the largest of five science programs undertaking applied environmental science research as a part of NERP established by SEWPaC. The NERP TE Hub delivers research for north Queensland designed to improve environmental decision-making processes in regionally-based natural resource management agencies (TSRA, Wet Tropics Management Authority, GBRMPA) and/or to influence the formation of environmental policy by Australian Governments. With co-investment from the major research partners (AIMS, CSIRO, JCU, UQ), this joint venture represents expenditure between 2011-2014 of more than $60 million on environmental research for North Queensland. Peter Doherty (AIMS) was nominated by the research partners to lead the science program. The NERP TE Hub is administered by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) in Cairns.

Website for further information:www.nerptropical.edu.au/

AIMS is also a partner in the Marine Biodiversity and Northern Australia Hubs.

The Integrated Marine Observing System

The Integrated Marine Observing System is a national system of sustained observations on ocean variability, conducted throughout the Australian marine jurisdiction. Established in 2006 by the Australian Government with five years of funding as part of its National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and matching co-investment from partners (including AIMS) it has been a highly successful NCRIS program, bringing together universities and publicly-funded research agencies in the marine sector in a cooperative model without precedent.

Since becoming operational in 2007, the Queensland Government has co-invested over $7 million in data streams to monitor the marine climate affecting the GBR, and in its 2011-2012 budget the Government of Western Australia committed an additional $6 million over four years for ocean observing. As a core partner in IMOS, AIMS manages the Queensland node of IMOS and collects data from more than a


http://www.nerptropical.edu.au/

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science_management/marine_monitoring_program

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science_management/marine_monitoring_program

dozen deep water oceanographic moorings in the north-west of WA providing critical information for the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park, the remote and pristine Kimberley region, and the vast amount of infrastructure deployed by the offshore oil and gas industry.

Website for further information:www.imos.org.au/

Western Australia Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)

Western Australia Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) is a partnership to improve knowledge and understanding of Western Australia’s marine environment for better resource development, management and conservation outcomes. It was launched in May 2007 with an initial investment of $21 million over five years from the State Treasury. In 2011, the Western Australian Government Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) was admitted as a sixteenth partner joining four Perth Universities, two major resource companies, two publicly-funded research agencies (CSIRO, AIMS), three State Government Departments, the Western Australian Museum, the Bureau of Meteorology, a specialist Chemistry Centre, and a regional ocean observing network for the Indian Ocean. A review of performance in 2011 showed that WAMSI had enlisted 250 scientists, directly employed four postdoctoral fellows and supervised 35 doctoral students in activity worth over $90 million over the first five years and producing a high return on the initial investment.

AIMS@JCU

AIMS@JCU is a joint venture between AIMS and James Cook University to facilitate the sharing of research infrastructure in Townsville and to provide enhanced opportunities for the training of postgraduate students in tropical marine sciences.

Website for further information:http://aims.jcu.edu.au/AIMS-JCU/home.htm


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AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION (ANSTO)

ANSTOs Graduate Development Program

ANSTO’s Graduate Development Program continues to grow. Over 75 percent of graduates from the first intake four years ago have been retained, including three who have since commenced PhDs whilst remaining with ANSTO. Similarly, 21 out of the 24 graduates from the 2011 intake have been retained. 24 graduates have been recruited for the third intake and will commence work in January 2013.

Building a new generation of experts in nuclear technology is crucial to building an Australian workforce with the necessary skills required for the increasing use of nuclear techniques in medicine, climate change and industry. No Australian university offers a degree in nuclear engineering, and as home of Australia’s only nuclear research reactor, ANSTO is the only place for Australians to gain skills in many areas of nuclear science.

The challenging and multidisciplinary nature of nuclear science and technology allows for the creation of a flexible and responsive workforce that can enter into other fields such as the petrochemical industry, general engineering, defence, health and medicine, environmental science and government advisory roles. In this way, the program is helping address Australian skill shortages across a number of disciplines.

Website for further information:/www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/careers_at_ansto/graduate_development_program

Australian Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Centre

Built from materials with ultra-low background radiation levels, ANSTO’s new state-of-the-art Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Centre is allowing Australian scientists for the first time to detect tiny amounts of radiation that would normally be lost amongst background radiation.

The new facility will ensure ANSTO scientists can continue their work as world leaders in carbon dating and will help them better understand some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. For example, the building is able to house Australia’s only ITRAX Corescanner which can be used to reconstruct the environment and climate change history of a particular area by analysing sediment cores and tree ring samples.

This data enables scientists to sort human-induced climate change from natural change and understand the impact of land and water management practices. This understanding will aid the development of more sustainable practices and in turn help conserve our environment.

The centre was officially opened on 24 April 2012 and is attracting scientists from universities and research organisations right across Australia. Many of the Centre’s world-class instruments, including the ITRAX Corescanner, were purchased through


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joint projects between ANSTO, the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) and a number of universities across Australia. Usage time on the instruments is allocated by the AINSE committee.

A new era for Australian biomedical research and imaging: The National Imaging Facility Research Cyclotron

In December 2011, a new $25 million National Imaging Facility (NIF) Research Cyclotron for biomedical imaging was opened at Camperdown in Sydney.

The facility is the product of collaboration between the University of Sydney and ANSTO, and comprises:

A new cyclotron dedicated to biomedical research. A cyclotron makes radioisotopes for molecular imaging – enabling scientists and doctors to better see inside the body and help find the causes of illness;

Connected to the cyclotron is Australia’s most advanced radiolabeling facility that will enable the development of molecular probes that scientists can use to measure molecules and proteins in the body with staggering sensitivity.

State of the art biomedical imaging laboratories are located nearby at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Research Institute. The labs are equipped with multi-modality preclinical and clinical scanners that use molecular probes to measure specific biological functions related to disease. A high performance computing platform then provides advanced imaging analysis and modeling.

More than 30 scientists will work under the partnership, developing new research techniques and studying diseases involving the brain including mental illness, neurological disorders, cancer and obesity.

The Centre will be accessible to researchers from across Australia. In addition, the Centre will provide an international standard training facility for highly skilled imaging specialists, engineers and chemists.

BioGill

In early 2012, ground breaking water cleansing technology developed by ANSTO was successfully commercialised and sold to Australian clean-tech company, BioGill Environmental Pty Ltd.

The system has numerous industrial and environmental applications, including the treatment of grey water, sewage and wastewater for aquaculture, and food and beverage processing.

The technology is considered to have great potential for cleaning water on ships, offshore platforms and remote islands where protecting sensitive environments is essential.


ANSTO Minerals and Rare Earths

Demand for rare earths such as such lanthanum, neodymium, terbium and europium has increased dramatically in recent years due to their use in electronic devises such as mobile phones, MP3 players and cameras.

China currently supplies the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, but a number of Australian mining firms are looking to establish themselves in the market, particularly as worldwide shortages of some elements become a concern.

The boom in demand is being mirrored by the demand for experts from ANSTO Minerals to help companies extract and recover these valuable commodities. A team of 60 professional scientists and technicians with expertise in chemical engineering, metallurgy, mineralogy, chemistry, geology and radiation safety are sought out to solve problems.

For example, ANSTO currently hosts pilot processing plants for Australian-based rare earth companies including Alkane and Arafura. These pilot plants provide valuable information for establishing the feasibility of new rare earth mines, and the future product mix for them. ANSTO possess a range of modern analytical tools such as gamma spectrometry, radiochemistry, and delayed neutron counting that can make all the difference for miners seeking to understand how to treat their ores and create viable mines.

Neutron research facilities

Neutron scattering facilities at ANSTO allow scientists to see what X-rays cannot. Neutrons are used to see the internal structure of many classes of materials, thus helping scientists understand why materials have the properties that they do, and helping tailor new materials that suit specific needs.

For example, insulated rail joints (IRJs) are an integral part of any rail track system, as they spilt a continuous track into electrically isolated sections for signalling and easy detection of rail track damage. Hence, bonded IRJs are safety-critical components that must satisfy requirements for structural integrity as well as the isolation function for both railway signalling and track condition monitoring systems.

In heavy haul corridors in Australia and around the world, IRJs are periodically replaced due to accumulated damage in their railhead, often within 10-20 percent of the useful life of other rail components.

During 2011-12 scientists from ANSTO, The University of Wollongong and the Queensland University of Technology used neutron scattering to better understand how residual stress occurs and determine the most appropriate rail maintenance and replacement schedules for safe and economic operation.

Research networks

ANSTO is connected with all Australian and New Zealand universities through the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), providing researchers access to Australia’s nuclear science, technology and engineering


expertise and landmark infrastructure which in turn, facilitates greater national science collaboration.

Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering

The Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) provides a mechanism for access to the facilities at ANSTO for universities and other tertiary institutions to provide a focus for cooperation in the nuclear scientific and engineering fields. Many of the techniques and much of the expertise at ANSTO cannot be found elsewhere in Australia. AINSE plays an indispensable role in providing universities with access to major scientific facilities and encouraging a national cooperative research effort. AINSE’s membership consists of over 40 Australian and New Zealand universities. In 2011, 268 research project grants were awarded and nearly 80 postgraduate scholars undertook research through AINSE.

Website for further information:www.ainse.edu.au

Memoranda of Understanding

ANSTO has signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding to foster and strengthen collaborations with international research organisations including:

A partnership between ANSTO, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Austin Health has resulted in a new state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Solid Targetry Laboratory. The lab will enable researchers to pursue vital research into new nuclear imaging techniques to benefit patients affected by different types of cancers. The partnership will also provide a reliable and cost effective system for the production of long-lived PET radionuclides suitable for the radiolabeling of biomolecules for research and clinical imaging applications.

Australian patients will benefit from a new collaboration between ANSTO and US Radiopharmaceuticals (USR). Under the arrangement, USR will supply ANSTO with vital diagnostic imaging isotopes, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, as well as disease specific biomarkers. This will provide a diversified supply of accelerator-based radioisotopes for Australian Hospitals. SPECT isotopes are not currently manufactured in Australian and under this collaboration will be produced at USR’s high-energy accelerator facility in Texas.

In late 2011, ANSTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japanese Spring-8 Centre that will give Australian scientists access to a world leading fundamental physics facility, the MOU was signed on behalf of the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science (ACAS), meaning the benefits will extend to ANSTO’s ACAS partners, Melbourne University, Australian National University and the Australian Synchrotron.

The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is one of the world’s largest centres for scientific research and is run by 20 European Member States, with many non-European countries also involved in different ways. CERN is the home of the world’s largest physics project and the gigantic circular accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, which spans the


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Swiss-French border. The collaboration between CERN and ANSTO will involve research in areas such as accelerator science, health and life sciences and radiation detection. It will enable Australia to enhance its expertise in large-scale accelerator facilities and particle-therapy platforms. This engagement fits well with the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science.

One of ANSTO’s core functions is to act as a trusted adviser to Government. Such advice is provided to a range of government departments and agencies, first and foremost of which is DIISRTE. Leaving aside interactions with agencies such as the Department of Finance and Deregulation on machinery of government issues, the most significant agencies with which ANSTO liaise directly on policy issues are the:

Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET); Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), including the Australian

Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office; Department of Defence; and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

Discussions with all these agencies take place directly and via the Nuclear Agencies Consultative Committee (NACC) on which PM&C and SEWPaC are also represented. ANSTO also works directly with State Governments on particular issues such as health outcomes in areas of life sciences and cyclotron research.

Recent work with State government departments:

New South Wales Government

ANSTO provides air monitoring and reporting to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The work involves scientists and technicians monitoring air samples for particles, analysing them and reporting on their concentrations and origins. ANSTO has provided these services for New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian government departments in the past 15-20 years. In NSW, ANSTO is currently working on monitoring and analysing the Hunter Valley for particulate pollution around areas of mining activity and coal-fired power stations.

Western Australia Government

In Western Australia, ANSTO has used nuclear scientific research techniques to advise the Department of Water on the declining health of wetlands coupled with the reduction in groundwater levels from increased irrigation demands and drier climatic conditions. Work was carried out in the Gnangara Mound, which is responsible for 60 percent of Perth’s water supply. The research provided to the Department of Water assisted in formulating results-based policymaking and to assist in improving the current understanding of groundwater resources.

Websites for further information:

NSW Government:www.environment.nsw.gov.au/radiation/listofcourseproviders.htm

ANSTO’s work on water resources:www.ansto.gov.au/research/institute_of_environmental_research/science/isotopes_for_water/climate_variability_and_water_resources


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REVIEWS AND/OR EVALUATIONS

ANSTO regularly showcases its research innovation, engaging in national scientific collaborations with numerous partners. ANSTO works closely and regularly with others in the national and international science communities. It works to strengthen its international links and collaborations, particularly with regional neighbours. ANSTO also regularly engages with Commonwealth departments and State government agencies: contributing strongly to national science policy development, service delivery, and connections across the scientific community.

ANSTO collaborates with the private sector, using its landmark infrastructure and expertise to help industries such as mining to achieve their goals. Where appropriate, ANSTO also explores opportunities to partner with the private sector. And, more broadly, ANSTO works to foster future scientific expertise through its graduate program, where it supports the Australian Government’s objective to increase the number of students completing higher degrees by research.


AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)

Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre

The ARC is establishing, with the assistance of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, a national Research Centre for the science of learning. The Centre is a key recommendation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council Expert Working Group report, Transforming Learning and the Transmission of Knowledge (2009). The Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre will draw together education professionals and researchers ranging in areas from neuroscience and cognitive development to pedagogy and educational technology. The Research Centre will cover a comprehensive range of geographic, demographic and socio-economic groups and explore the synergies between researchers, community institutions and education providers.

The selection process is expected to be completed in 2012, providing up to $4 million per year over four years to investigate the complex issues of learning processes.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/slrc.htm

Special research initiative for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network (ATSIRN) is a new initiative under the ARC’s Special Research Initiatives scheme. Up to $800,000 per year over four years will be provided to establish a national network which will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers from across Australia, from different research institutions, at different career stages and from a range of disciplines. The Network will be led by experienced Indigenous Australian researchers, with strong research track records, who will build research programs and mentor research students and early career researchers working on research that generates understanding about Indigenous knowledge and culture.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/atsirn.htm

Discovery Indigenous

In 2011, the ARC replaced the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme with a new scheme—Discovery Indigenous. The Discovery Indigenous scheme was introduced to support research programs led by Indigenous Australian researchers and build the capacity of higher degree research students and early career researchers. Whereas the previous scheme was focused on developing the research expertise of Indigenous Australian researchers to a level which is competitive for mainstream research funding, the objectives of the new scheme have been refocused to include supporting and retaining established Indigenous Australian researchers.


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The Discovery Indigenous scheme includes a new award - the Discovery Indigenous Award - which can be awarded for up to three consecutive years and is available at five different salary levels to accommodate all career stages. The ARC received 29 proposals, including requests for 10 Discovery Indigenous Awards, for funding commencing in 2012 under the Discovery Indigenous scheme. On 1 November 2011, $3.8 million of funding was awarded to 10 projects over three years, including funding for five Discovery Indigenous Awards.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/di/di_default.htm

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award

The ARC introduced the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme in 2011 to provide more focused support and enhance opportunities for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions. DECRA has replaced Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships and the targeted funding for early career researchers under the Discovery Projects scheme. The scheme attracted over 2000 applications in the first round, for funding commencing in 2012.

The objectives of the DECRA scheme are to: support and advance promising early career researchers; promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways; focus research effort in the National Research Priority areas to improve

research capacity and policy outcomes; and enable research and research training in high quality and supportive

environments.

On 14 November 2011 funding was awarded to 277 early career researchers under the DECRA scheme, with each awardee receiving $125,000 in funding; including a fixed salary of $85,000 and $40,000 for project expenditure.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/decra.htm

Excellence in Research for Australia

Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluates the quality of the research undertaken at Australian universities by discipline. Committees of distinguished researchers undertake ERA evaluations, based on comprehensive data about the research activities of universities and their own disciplinary expertise. ERA gives government, industry, business and the wider community assurance of the excellence of research conducted at Australian universities. Its findings inform policy decisions and investment to support improvements in Australia’s research capacity. Australia’s use of peer judgement based on indicators to evaluate research after the fact, and to enhance research excellence by linking evaluation outcomes to funding has received international recognition (OECD, Performance-based funding of public research in tertiary education institutions, 2010, Chapter 1).


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The ERA 2010 National Report was released on 31 January 2011. It reports on performance relative to world standards for each unit of evaluation (that is, each discipline evaluated at each institution), using a one to five point rating scale (with three or above being world standard or above, and five being the highest rating for excellence). Disciplines are classified according to the codes in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Two-digit codes correspond to broad fields of research and four-digit codes to more specific disciplines. National Research Strengths for Australia (fields in which four or more universities received a 5 at the four-digit level) are:

1. Astronomical and Space Sciences;2. Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology;3. Clinical Sciences;4. Ecology;5. Electrical and Electronic Engineering;6. Evolutionary Biology;7. Geology;8. Historical Studies;9. Human Movement and Sports Science;10. Immunology;11. Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry;12. Medical Physiology;13. Oncology and Carcinogenesis;14. Optical Physics;15. Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences;16. Physical and Structural Chemistry;17. Plant Biology;18. Quantum Physics; and19. Zoology.

Of the 131 fields of research assessed at the four-digit level, there were 108 fields in which four or more Australian universities were performing at world standard or above. Of the 22 fields of research assessed at the two digit level, there were 21 fields in which ten or more universities were performing at world standard or above. Ratings of world standard and above were widely distributed across all discipline clusters:


The second round of ERA evaluations currently underway will enable Australia to track research performance of universities over time and provide further valuable information about where to guide research investment. The government has implemented a range of improvements to the ERA methodology for 2012, based on feedback from reviews of the ERA 2010 process and consultations with the research community. The ERA 2012 Submission Phase opened on 5 March 2012 and closed on 4 May 2012. All 41 universities submitted comprehensive information on their research activities, including data about staffing, publications, awards, grants, commercial income and patents. Eight discipline-based Research Evaluation Committees (or RECs) are conducting the ERA 2012 evaluations, which will conclude late in 2012.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/era/default.htm

Industrial Transformation Training Centres

As part of the ARC’s new Industrial Transformation Research Program, announced by the Australian Government in December 2011, up to 50 Industrial Transformation Training Centres will be established over five years. ARC support for the centres will include funding to provide up to 600 PhD students with ‘hands-on’ experience in industry settings. Further information regarding this scheme is following.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/itrp/itrp_default.htm


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Industrial Transformation Research Program

Through the new Industrial Transformation Research Program, to be administered by the ARC, the Government will invest $236 million over five years in quality research and development partnerships that will help transform Australian industries so they can prosper in a richer, fairer and greener Australia. The Program will:

focus on research areas that are vital for Australia’s future economic prosperity - such as engineering, materials science and nanotechnology, communications, chemical engineering and biotechnology;

support Industrial PhD students and researchers to gain ‘hands-on’, practical skills and experience in these important areas; and

foster important partnerships between business and universities.

The new program will have two key components: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and Industrial Transformation Training Centres.

Industrial Transformation Research Hubs

The ARC will fund the establishment of up to 20 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs over five years. In these hubs, managers, researchers and industry workers will work together to address some of the big problems facing Australian industries today.

Industrial Transformation Training Centres

The ARC will fund the establishment of up to 50 Industrial Transformation Training Centres over five years. The centres will provide innovative doctoral and postdoctoral training and will be built upon close collaboration between industry and university-based researchers. It is expected that up to 20 of these training centres will include training in social impact, inclusion and industrial and community transformation.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/itrp/itrp_default.htm

Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science

In April 2012, the ARC ran an accelerated selection process for the Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science. The Initiative will provide $30 million over four years ($25 million contributed by the ARC and $5 million contributed by the National Health and Medical Research Council), with a consortium of 36 universities contributing a further $25 million in cash.

The Initiative is a large-scale cooperative endeavour between higher education organisations, led by experienced researchers and staff, who will manage a program of access for researchers to the Australian Synchrotron.

Website for further information:www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/synchrotron_science.htm


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AUSTRALIAN WORKFORCE AND PRODUCTIVITY AGENCY

The National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF)

The National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) is a new approach to skills training that places business at the heart of the training effort.

In a fast-moving economy, more and more Australian businesses are recognising the importance of investing in their people to meet their current and future workforce needs.

The NWDF is an innovative, industry-driven model that enables businesses to co-invest with the Government to train, reskill and upskill workers in areas of skills need.

Announced by the Australian Government in the 2011–12 Budget, the NWDF has the strong backing of industry and is already proving to be successful in meeting the workforce training needs of businesses across the country.

The Government is investing $700 million through the NWDF over five years and has to date allocated $174 million for a range of training projects jointly funded with businesses across the nation.

Industry Skills Councils are working with industry to identify projects that will deliver skills in areas of demand. These projects cover all sectors, including construction, logistics, aged care, manufacturing and hospitality. They also support a range of qualifications — from Diploma in Management and Counselling to Certificate III in Forest Management and Disability Care.

The NWDF operates on a sliding scale, with large enterprises contributing up to 66 percent of costs, medium businesses 50 percent and small businesses 33 percent.

With $100 million in co-investment from industry, 498 projects are now underway. This will see more than 52,000 Australians increase their skills base, with businesses getting specific and targeted training for their workers.

Investing in skills and training through industry-driven initiatives like the NWDF is vital in helping businesses to meet the challenges of a transitioning economy. It will also ensure Australia is able to maintain its global competitiveness in the 21st century.

Websites for further information:www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/SkillTraining/nwdf/Pages/default.aspx

www.awpa.gov.au/national-workforce-development-fund/national-workforce-development-fund.html


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COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO)

Flagship Collaboration Fund

Collaboration is a key principle of the CSIRO National Research Flagships Program. The Australian Government originally provided $114M for the Flagship Collaboration Fund to facilitate the involvement of the wider Australian research community including Australian universities and other publicly funded research agencies. Funding is spent on external parties and to date, over $110M has been committed, with ongoing support from CSIRO. The key objective of the Fund is to support the Flagships in achieving their goals by providing funding to engage external capability that solves specific Flagship science problems, develops expertise for CSIRO and its partners and builds collaborative partnerships for the benefit of Australia.

The Fund supports four kinds of collaborative research activity:1. Flagship Clusters are significant three-year partnerships between Flagships,

universities and other publicly-funded research agencies including CRCs.2. Clusters receive $1 million per annum in cash, with at least matching co-

investment from partners. 3. Flagship Projects are shorter-term, more focused collaborations between

Flagships and universities. The Fund provides approximately $100,000 per annum.

4. Flagship Visiting Fellowships are available for distinguished academics from Australian and overseas universities to work closely with a Flagship. The Fund provides approximately $100,000 for six months full-time or a longer period part-time.

5. Flagship Postgraduate Scholarships are available for PhD students whose research is relevant to Flagships. Top-up and full scholarships are available and international students may apply if they are enrolled in an Australian university. Students are co-supervised by university and CSIRO researchers.

Performance and progress of the Fund has included: Engagement with over 70 different external institutions. Twenty seven clusters have been supported, engaging over 38 Australian and

international universities and representing over $80M investment from the Fund and $140M from partners. Total value of $224 research activity.

Collaborations with international research institutions (Clusters) have increased from 0 percent to 30 percent since the guidelines were broadened in 2008.

Over 120 Projects have been supported between CSIRO and Australian and international universities worth over $11M.

More than 35 Visiting Fellows have been engaged worth over $2.5M. Over 170 scholarships have been awarded with generous operating and travel

allowances.

Website for further information:www.csiro.au/flagships


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CSIRO science outreach

CSIRO conducts a range of science education programs for primary and secondary school students and their teachers and the public, and hosts the CSIRO Discovery Centre in Canberra. There was a small increase in the number of visitors to CSIRO’s Science Education Centres and Science by Email continued to increase its readership. In 2010, the Maths by Email program was launched, with the number of subscribers reaching 9,255 by December 2010. The Scientists in Schools program reached 1,850 teacher-scientist partnerships and the number of Mathematicians in Schools partnerships reached 163.

CSIRO operates CSIRO PUBLISHING as an independent science and technology publisher with a global reputation for quality products and services covering a wide range of scientific disciplines, including agriculture, chemistry, the plant and animal sciences, and environmental management.

CSIRO also runs an honours and postgraduate scholarship program which provides opportunities in science and engineering for outstanding graduates who enrol at Australian tertiary institutions as full-time postgraduate students for research leading to the award of a higher degree by research. Research students at CSIRO are co-supervised by a university, allowing students to maintain and develop their university connections while being exposed to research in a working environment. As at May 2011 CSIRO co-supervised 791 higher degree research students including 655 PhD students.


CSIRO Education: www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Education.aspx

Postgraduate Scholarships:www.csiro.au/Portals/Careers/Work-experience-and-scholarships/Postgraduate-scholarships.aspx

CSIRO Publishing:www.publish.csiro.au/

Small to Medium Enterprise – Engagement Centre

The CSIRO Small and Medium Enterprise-Engagement Centre (SME-EC) is a team of business and technically qualified managers that work across all parts of CSIRO. SME-EC works with partner organisations in government and private sector to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) effectively navigate and engage with CSIRO and others in the National Innovation System (NIS).

SMEs often find it difficult to find and apply the most appropriate science and technology to grow their business because of the scale of CSIRO and the Australian National Innovation System (NIS). The SME-EC was established to assist SMEs to get the best possible result from engagement with this diverse and powerful system.

The objectives of the SME-EC are to:


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increase the number of Australian SMEs that grow their business through the application or use of scientific research and technical services, and

assist CSIRO research programs, especially Flagships, to generate impact from scientific research by making it easier to connect with Australian Industry.

Website for further information:www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Partner/SMEEngagement.aspx

Australian Growth Partnerships

The Australian Growth Partnerships (AGP) program is a competitive, merit-based pilot funding program managed by CSIRO. CSIRO has allocated funds to provide investment funding through the AGP Program to high potential, technology-receptive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so they can access CSIRO research and development (R&D) capability and intellectual property.

The AGP Program is designed to assist SMEs to overcome existing technical issues, therefore providing them with an opportunity to significantly accelerate their growth in high impact industries that are aligned with the capabilities of CSIRO’s National Research Flagships Program. This program encompasses the following Flagships:

Climate Adaptation Energy Transformed Food Futures Future Manufacturing Minerals Down Under Preventative Health Water for a Healthy Country Wealth from Oceans.

In exchange for providing this funding, CSIRO, through the AGP Program, will seek to secure a return on its investment.

Website for further information:www.csiro.au/Portals/Partner/Collaborate/AGP.aspx

Precincts

The increasing globalisation of science and technology encourages research communities in small countries like Australia to work more closely together. While virtual collaboration is critical, there is also emerging evidence that co-locating expertise - where researchers operate across organisational boundaries - creates a talent pool with the capacity to resolve complex challenges. These co-locations create multiplier benefits in the ability to both attract researchers and further collaborators.

CSIRO has identified six research precincts in Australia with the potential to achieve global standing and scale that build on, and amplify, the strengths of Australia’s national innovation system. These will be located as follows:

Canberra Precinct: Natural and Environmental Sciences; Dutton Park Precinct, Brisbane: Ecosciences; Kensington Precinct, Perth: Resource Sciences;


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Clayton Precinct, Melbourne: Manufacturing and Materials Sciences; Sydney Precinct: Digital Sciences; and Parkville Precinct, Melbourne: Human Life Sciences.

Global Precincts will expand and deepen Australia’s national and global partnerships involving universities, State and Federal governments and industry. When realised, these Global Precincts will support the unleashing of Australia’s innovation potential, improve Australia’s international R&D competitiveness, and position our national innovation system to address the nation’s and world’s emerging complex challenges.

CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence

A new centre of excellence – formed from a partnership between CSIRO and Chile – will tackle key challenges facing the Australian and Chilean mining industries. The Centre will develop cutting-edge technologies that will reduce the environmental impact of mining and increase its productivity. The Centre will be a major international education and training facility that will build the services and manufacturing industries in both countries through partnership with industry. It will also tackle the mining sector's global skills shortage.

Chile's Minister for Mines, the Honourable Hernán de Solminihac, officially opened the new CSIRO Chile International Centre of Excellence in Mining and Mineral Processing in Santiago Chile, in December 2011.

Chief Executive Megan Clark said Australia and Chile have much to learn from one another in the mining sector. ‘This Centre will allow our countries to work in a learning partnership with shared benefits, benefits which will contribute to a global knowledge base and to improved practices and understanding around the world', Megan said.

The CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence is co-funded by CORFO (The Chilean Economic Development Agency) and supported by the Universities of Antofagasta and Chile, Cicitem and major industry partners Anglo American North S.A. and South S.A., Antofagasta Minerals S.A., BHP Chile Inc, Codelco, Xstrata Copper Chile.

Website for further information:www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Mineral-Resources/Chile-Centre-of-Excellence.aspx

Human Services Delivery Research Alliance

CSIRO and the Department of Human Services (DHS) have formed a research alliance to harness the power of science and improve service delivery to more than six million Australians each year.

The Human Services portfolio has begun a transformation that will dramatically improve its flexibility and effectiveness to deliver services to the Australian community. Every day, millions of Australians interact with agencies across the Human Services portfolio, including Centrelink, Medicare Australia and the Child Support Agency. The portfolio delivers more than A$100 billion in payments and more than 200 different services. Human services must keep up with the changing


http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Mineral-Resources/Chile-Centre-of-Excellence.aspx

demographics and needs of the Australian community. Australians expect a service that is focused on them, and targeted to their needs and circumstances. This involves access to efficient, high-quality services in an easy and coordinated way.

The A$20 million five-year Human Services Delivery Research Alliance (HSDRA) is addressing the research challenges and questions arising from, and in support of, the Service Delivery reform agenda. The Research Alliance is working in support of a national service delivery system that is evidence-based, sustainable, people-centric and harmonised across government and public human service delivery dimensions. It is using innovative technologies and practices to increase the efficiency of government services, create options for future service delivery and improve the capacity for government to build better relationships with its customers.

HSDRA is leveraging DHS' depth of experience in human services delivery with CSIRO’s strengths in services research to deliver a more efficient and effective national service delivery system.

Website for further information:www.csiro.au/Outcomes/ICT-and-Services/People-and-businesses/HSDRA.aspx


http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/ICT-and-Services/People-and-businesses/HSDRA.aspx

IP AUSTRALIA

Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention Exhibition

IP Australia is the principal sponsor of “Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention”, currently on show at Scienceworks in Melbourne.

Originally developed by the UK Intellectual Property Office, Aardman Animation and the Science Museum in London, the exhibition has been adapted for Australian audiences with heavy involvement from IP Australia. The exhibition makes use of Aardman’s well-known Wallace and Gromit characters to highlight the importance of ideas and innovation in everyday life. The exhibition explains the role of intellectual property (IP) and how it can be protected using real life examples and interactive exhibits. The exhibition was officially opened to the public in Australia on 19 May 2012.

Support of the exhibition provides IP Australia with an unprecedented opportunity to deliver its IP education and awareness messages to a broad audience including children, students, SME owners and employees, teachers, designers and inventors over a continuous period. The exhibition travels to the Powerhouse in Sydney from 12 December 2012 until 26 May 2013.

As at 31 July 2012, 60,400 people had visited the exhibition.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

In November 2011 IP Australia met with Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) to discuss the uptake of IP units by registered training organisations and TAFE institutions. The outcome of this discussion was a recommendation by IBSA to submit a discussion paper requesting that some of the units become a mandatory component of one or more business qualifications. The request will be reviewed by IBSA in the next 12 months.

IP Australia’s partnership with the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) to promote the units to their membership base through general promotion, a newsletter case study, website and email marketing, two breakfast events in Sydney and Melbourne, an editorial and an advertisement in Industry Magazine, a prominent industry publication, has been successfully completed. The relationship has resulted in a number of registered training organisations expressing interest in the units.

An editorial targeting educators entitled ‘Four reasons to offer IP training' has been published in the industry journal ‘RTO Management’ magazine to promote the benefits of adding an IP unit to their subject offering. From this article, 15 new leads have been received by interested training organisations. Face-to-face meetings are taking place with interested parties.

IP Australia has negotiated participation in the 2012 National VET Conference where IP units will be promoted to key decision makers within a range of training organisations.


Accountants

IP Australia is currently in negotiations with CPA Australia to agree on a work program for the 2012/13 financial year. The agreement is likely to include a host of initiatives such as the development of web content, training sessions and vodcasts designed to increase understanding of IP amongst CPA members.

Improving the IP system

The Venturous Australia report noted that there is a perception in the business community that some rights, particularly patents, are granted too easily and are ambiguously defined. This perception can lead to uncertainty in the business community, particularly as those rights may be disputed and subjected to costly and time-consuming court proceedings.

One of the reasons that Australian IP rights are susceptible to criticism both at home and abroad is the patentability tests enshrined in the patents legislation. Those tests go directly to the idea of the ‘robustness’ of an IP right which can stand its ground in the marketplace. It is not in Australia’s best interests, as a large net importer of technology, to set its patentability tests lower than other countries’ tests; nor is it in the interests of potential Australian exporters of innovation to have to deal with differing standards in different countries.

In 2008-09, IP Australia embarked on an IP rights law reform project, incorporating proposals from the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property, the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Powering Ideas report. The IP reforms will reduce barriers in the innovation landscape for researchers and inventors, improve certainty about the validity of granted patents, and allow patent claims to be resolved faster.

Between 2009 and 2011, IP Australia conducted a multi-stage public consultation process culminating in an exposure draft Bill. The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 was passed by Parliament and assented to on 15 April 2012.

Key elements of the Raising the Bar Act are amendments to the Patents Act 1990 to:

1. Raise patent thresholds and increase certainty in the validity of granted patents. These changes will mean that patents granted in Australia will meet patent standards in other jurisdictions, which will provide greater certainty to Australian innovators about the robustness of their Australian patents and their ability to export their inventions. Higher patent thresholds will also benefit Australian innovators who wish to conduct follow-on innovation involving patented technology and who have less freedom to operate where over-broad patents are granted.

2. Introduce a statutory exemption from patent infringement by research activities. The exemption gives researchers greater certainty about where they have freedom to operate.


The majority of the changes are due to commence on 15 April 2013. However, an exception to this is the statutory exemption from patent infringement for research activities, which commenced the day after Royal Assent, on 16 April 2012.



Collaborations between the Public and Private Sectors: The Role of Intellectual Property

(A review currently undertaken by the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property)

BackgroundThe Australian Government is committed to increasing the level of collaborations between business, universities and other publicly-funded research organisations (PFROs).

About the reviewIn June 2010, the then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, requested that the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) investigate and report on how intellectual property acts as an enabler or disabler of knowledge sharing, translational research and collaborations, particularly between the private and public sectors.

The inquiry collected information about collaboration models between industry and Australian PFROs, and about experiences with such collaborations, including how matters involving IP arise and affect collaborations. ACIP conducted this review in cooperation with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

ACIP will present its Final Report to the Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Hon Greg Combet AM MP, in August 2012. This Report will identify important factors that affect the formation and operation of collaborations and include recommendations on how these can be improved.

Review of the Innovation Patent System


BackgroundThe innovation patent system was established in 2001 to stimulate innovation in Australian small to medium business enterprises. It protects incremental or low level inventions that do not meet the inventive threshold required for standard patent protection and are not covered by design legislation.

In recent years a variety of concerns have been raised about the innovation patent system and whether it is meeting its original objectives. A key concern is that an innovation patent is overly difficult to invalidate and the remedies for infringement are overly generous. Another concern is that innovation patents are being used to obtain a form of quick protection for higher level inventions while a standard patent is being pursued. Also, the innovation patent system has never been reviewed to assess whether it remains effective and appropriate for Australia now and in the future.

About the review


On 28 February 2011, the then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, requested that ACIP investigate the effectiveness of the innovation patent system in stimulating innovation by Australian small to medium business enterprises.

The investigation includes broad consultations with stakeholders. ACIP released an Issues Paper in August 2011 to seek the views of interested parties. A number of written submissions were received. ACIP also conducted a number of public forums in October 2011 to discuss the key issues.

ACIP through its Working Group has not found any clear evidence that the innovation patent system is being used in a way that it was not intended. However there are behaviours or potential strategic uses of the innovation patent system that may warrant further investigation. Also, the Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, wrote to the Chair of ACIP in June 2012 requesting advice from ACIP on an appropriate level of inventiveness for the innovation patent.

An Interim Report will be released in August - September 2012 to seek further public input on a number of possible options for reforming the innovation patent system. A Final Report outlining ACIP’s findings and any recommendations for change is expected in early-mid 2013.

Review of the Designs System


BackgroundThe current designs system has been in operation since the commencement of the Designs Act 2003 on 17 June 2004. The designs system protects the visual features of a product – including the shape, configuration, pattern and ornamentation which, when applied to the product, give it a unique appearance.

In recent years a variety of concerns has been raised about the effectiveness of the designs system and whether it is meeting its original policy objectives. The designs system has not been comprehensively reviewed since its commencement in 2004 to assess whether it is effective and appropriate for Australia now and in the future.

About the reviewOn 17 May 2012, the Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, requested that ACIP investigate the effectiveness of the designs system in stimulating innovation by Australian users and the impact the designs system has on economic growth.

As part of its investigations, ACIP plans to release an Issues Paper to seek views from stakeholders, including users of the designs system. ACIP also plans to undertake roundtables with stakeholders in major capital cities.

ACIP expects to release the Issues Paper in late 2012. ACIP plans to undertake roundtables with stakeholders in early-mid 2013. A Final Report outlining ACIP’s findings and any recommendations for change is expected in late 2013 – early 2014.


AUSTRADE

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency. Austrade assists Australian companies to succeed in international business, attracts productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promotes Australia’s education and training sector internationally.

Austrade’s work in innovation

Austrade has sought to raise awareness of Australia’s innovation system through: Promoting Australian innovation capabilities globally; often in partnership

with CSIRO, CRCs, and universities; Highlighting Australia as a competitive destination for foreign direct

investment into R&D and innovation; and Working to increase industry partnership opportunities with key corporations

seeking and investing in innovation.

Examples of Austrade’s activity over the past year include: Austrade and CSIRO partnered on a high-level innovation mission to Europe

in June 2011. The mission sought to increase the profile of Australian R&D and innovation capabilities to a European business audience, and identify opportunities for potential investment and industry partnerships between European companies and Australian organisations. Featured expertise in the mission looked to areas of global concern – including sustainable manufacturing, water management, ICT and energy efficiency.

Investing in Research webinar program. After a successful pilot in 2011, Austrade continued its Investing in Research webinar program, introducing major European companies to Australian universities and research institutes capable of addressing their unmet research and technology needs. The 2012 program ran from mid-February to mid-March and focused on partnering companies and researchers in biotechnology, smart grid and water management. Sixteen leading companies from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK had committed to the program of webinars involving about 60 researchers from Australia.

In North America, Austrade has worked at a promotional level to deliver a major innovation program during G’Day USA in January 2012. The program highlighted Australian Innovation to leading US corporations, academics and institutions.

Innovation promotional program with The Economist to promote CSIRO Global Precinct program and Boeing’s R&D focus on Australia in March 2012.

Public Sector Procurement: Austrade in cooperation with the ACT Government developed a niche innovation cluster around exporting solutions for the public sector. The yearlong pilot program supported innovative Australian high-tech SMEs in their efforts to export services to the US federal, state, and local governments.

Next generation biofuels: throughout the year, Austrade presented opportunities for innovation in biofuels to US audiences including presentations to the Alternative Biofuels Leadership Conference, the American


Council on Renewable Energy and targeting of international investors in the next generation biofuels sector.

Austrade and CSIRO innovation mission to Europe, June 2011

A networking dinner at the Fraunhofer Institute (L-R): Peter Kambouris, CSIRO; Ian Wing; Damian Thomas, CSIRO; George Rosenthal, Fraunhofer; Dr Eckart Bierdumpel, Fraunhofer; Elisabeth Opie, CSIRO; Stewart Burn, CSIRO; Alfred Gossner, Fraunhofer; HE Peter Tesch, Australian Ambassador to Germany; Swee Mak; Sandra Fox; Stefan Augustin; and Rod Bloom CSIRO.


NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NHMRC)

NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health – Partnership Centres

The National Health and Medical Research Council Partnerships for Better Health initiative consists of two types of award, Partnership Projects and Partnership Centres.

The Partnership Centres component of this initiative aims to bring teams of researchers and policy and practice decision-makers together in a virtual centre to create better health services and health by collaborative work on priority themes determined by the needs of the health and health care systems.

Each centre will be multi-disciplinary, have national reach and will be governed and funded jointly by NHMRC and partner organisations with an interest in using research to advance their mission. The NHMRC will match up to $2.5 million of partner contributions per centre per year for five-years such that as much as $25 million may be available for a centre over its lifetime. The NHMRC aims to establish four or more centres in 2012-13. The theme for each centre will be forward-looking, a priority for Australia’s health and health care systems over the next decade, and congruent with NHMRC’s Strategic Plan.

In order of priority the broad objectives of a Partnership Centre are to:

1. support the implementation of research-informed changes in health and health care systems;

2. synthesise and disseminate research relevant to improving health and health care system performance;

3. undertake collaborative research, and

4. build capacity, both within the research community to undertake applied research, and within the system to use research as part of change management.

To date the NHMRC has identified two priority themes with viable partner funding and has selected an Investigator Team for one potential Partnership Centre. The NHMRC is currently engaged in negotiations with potential partners for other priority themes.

Website for further information:www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/partnerships-better-health/partnerships-centres

Urgent call for research (UCR) - Hendra Virus

In response to the recent positive detection of the Hendra virus in a companion dog and therefore the potential increased risk of exposure and infection to humans, the Queensland and New South Wales Governments pledged $6 million for research. The Federal Government also provided $6M for research, of which $3 million was contributed by NHMRC.


http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/partnerships-better-health/partnerships-centres

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/partnerships-better-health/partnerships-centres

The aims of the UCR are:A. To better understand the biology of Henipaviruses, particularly Hendra virus.

NHMRC wishes to support research into increasing understanding in topics such as but not limited to viral tropism, viral-human host interactions, viral pathogenicity and the human immune response.

B. To develop management procedures and better treatments for humans affected by Henipaviruses, and Hendra virus in particular.NHMRC wishes to support research into, but not limited to, identifying effective treatments, determining if there is cross-protection with current vaccines and anti-virals and determining the best processes for the management of infected individuals.

Outcomes were announced on 2 June 2012 with eight grants funding research into immunological responses to exposure to the virus, viral replication and vaccine options, and diagnostic markers.

Websites for further information:www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/urgent-call-research-hendra-virus

www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/funding-tackle-human-health-effects-hendra-virus

NHMRC – California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Collaborative Research Grants

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Collaborative Research Grants scheme has been established to support Australian-based components of collaborative research grants. An NHMRC research grant of up to 3 years duration will be offered to support project work to be conducted by Partner Investigators located in Australia.

Program description

First round: RFA 11-02: CIRM Early Translational Awards III

The CIRM Early Translational Research Initiative aims to fund and advance innovative translational stem cell science toward clinical development. The purpose of this CIRM Early Translational III Research Awards RFA is to support projects that enable the initial stage of translational research including the conduct of studies resulting in proof of concept for a potential development candidate and/or studies to select a Development Candidate (DC). The Early Translational Research Award is core to CIRM’s mission, and the agency plans to issue this RFA every one to two years to build a strong preclinical pipeline for patient therapies and cures. Outcomes were announced 30 May 2012.

Websites for further information:www.cirm.ca.gov/RFA/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii?q=rfa/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii

www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/government-funds-world-first-research-multiple-sclerosis


http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/government-funds-world-first-research-multiple-sclerosis

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/government-funds-world-first-research-multiple-sclerosis

http://www.cirm.ca.gov/RFA/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii?q=rfa/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii

http://www.cirm.ca.gov/RFA/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii?q=rfa/rfa-11-02-cirm-early-translational-awards-iii

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/funding-tackle-human-health-effects-hendra-virus

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/releases/2012/funding-tackle-human-health-effects-hendra-virus

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/urgent-call-research-hendra-virus

NHMRC A*STAR joint call for research

In September 2011, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Biomedical Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council, (NHMRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of general cooperation to promote and encourage research and development activities amongst researchers from Singapore and Australia, including a joint call for research proposals.

The aims of the joint grant call are to fund innovative research designed to better prepare Singapore and Australia to deal with emerging infectious disease threats through the application of integrative technologies and to build further collaborations between Singapore and Australian researchers.

A*STAR and NHMRC wish to jointly support research proposals that utilise integrative technology to:

improve surveillance and detection of emerging infectious disease threats in our region;

advance diagnostic tools; develop new innovative approaches for vaccine creation and therapeutics, and bring together synergistic collaborations and expertise from both countries.

Eligible proposals must involve a genuine collaboration involving at least one research team each from Singapore and Australia.

The joint call for research will be administered by the NHMRC. Applications opened on 6 June 2012 and closed 8 August 2012. Funding is likely to commence in early 2013.

Website for further information:www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/nhmrc-astar-joint-grant-call-research

Tripartite agreement with Canadian Institute of Health Research and Health Research Council of New Zealand

In 2002, NHMRC entered into a trilateral partnership with Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC NZ) to support research in the area of Indigenous peoples’ health with the goal of improving the health of Indigenous peoples in each of the three countries.

In June 2012, NHMRC, CIHR and the HRC NZ signed a letter of intent of trilateral cooperation on research to improve Indigenous people’s health.

This agreement will develop a coordinated approach to sharing innovative best practices, information and expertise; enable links between the parties, researchers and trainees to conduct translational and implementable Indigenous health research; and commits to harnessing opportunities to coordinate and leverage our respective funding opportunities.

NHMRC will be consulting with Indigenous stakeholders regarding activities the NHMRC, CIHR and HRC NZ might consider under the new Tripartite Agreement.


http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply-funding/nhmrc-astar-joint-grant-call-research

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) / Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) - Request for applications on Hypertension in Low and Middle Income Countries

Through its membership in the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) NHMRC supports international and interdisciplinary collaborations in research, focusing on chronic non-communicable diseases. Particular emphasis is placed on cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), chronic respiratory conditions, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. Work of the GACD will focus in particular on the needs of Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), and on those of low income populations of more developed countries.

In 2011 NHMRC allocated $5 million in funding for research to improve the prevention and control of hypertension (high blood pressure) at the community level in low and middle income countries, as part of a worldwide initiative coordinated by the Global Alliance for Chronic Disease (GACD). Outcomes of this RFA were announced in June 2012.

Website for further information: www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/strategic/global-alliance-chronic-disease.htm


http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/strategic/global-alliance-chronic-disease.htm

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHING AND FORESTRY (DAFF)

Securing a Clean Energy Future

In July 2011, the Australian Government released its Securing a Clean Energy Future plan. The Plan contains four elements – carbon price, innovation in renewable energy, energy efficiency and action on the land (Land Sector Package).

The Plan’s $1.7 billion Land Sector Package is about creating new opportunities for land managers to enhance productivity, gain economic benefits and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon storage can also increase the land sector’s resilience to climate change, protect Australia’s natural environment and improve long term farm productivity.

The Carbon Farming Futures program is a key component of the land sector measures, allocating $429 million in funding over six years to help farmers and other landholders to benefit from carbon farming.

Carbon Farming Futures is comprised of five elements: Filling the Research Gap ($201 million over six years) to fund research into

new technologies and practices for land managers to reduce emissions and store soil carbon. National survey to identify common practice. Commenced in 2011/12.

Action on the Ground ($99 million over six years) to assist industry and farming groups test and apply research outcomes in real farming situations.

Extension and Outreach ($64 million over six years) to provide information, support and an extension network to help farmers take action on the land.

Converting research into methodologies ($20 million over six years) to convert research into estimation methodologies for use in the Carbon Farming Initiative. Commences in 2012/13.

Refundable Tax Offset (RTO) (over three years) to provide 15 percent RTOs for new eligible conservation tillage equipment installed between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2015.

Research outcomes will underpin the development of new abatement methodologies that land managers can use to participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative – an Australian Government voluntary carbon offsets scheme intended to help farmers, forest growers and land managers earn income from reducing emissions like nitrous oxide and methane through changes to agricultural and land management practices.

Website for further information:www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/

www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/carbonfarmingfutures

www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/cfi


http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/cfi

http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/carbonfarmingfutures

http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/

DEPARTMENT OF BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY (DBCDE)

Digital Economy Services Division/Digital Initiatives Branch/

ICT Centre of Excellence Program

National ICT Australia (NICTA) is Australia’s information and communications technology Centre of Excellence. Established in 2002, it is a major Australian Government investment in Australia’s ICT capabilities (with funding of $564.5 million to NICTA over the period 2002-2015, jointly administered by DBCDE and the Australian Research Council (ARC)).

The Australian Government’s support for NICTA is closely aligned with its priorities relating to the digital economy, innovation, skills and industry development.

NICTA’s mission is to undertake breakthrough, internationally recognised research in partnership with industry, government and researchers to create value for Australia.

NICTA’s research subject area include broadband, health, medical implants, disaster recovery, security, smart grids, supply chains, transport and water management.

In early 2011 NICTA aligned its organisational structure round six research groups and four business beams to achieve its objectives of research excellence and wealth creation. NICTA’s six discipline-focused research groups are:

Computer Vision; Networks; Control and Signal Processing; Machine Learning; Optimisation; and Software Systems.

In addition to these six discipline-focused research groups, NICTA has also established two highly specialised research groups: Implant Systems and Optics and Nano-electronics.

NICTA maintains a strong focus on education through its enhanced PhD program with scholarship opportunities and exposure to world class advanced research and specialist coursework. As at 31 March 2012, NICTA had 262 PhD students and will continue to offer enhanced PhD training to its seven existing member and partner universities in 2012. Since its inception, 300 PhD students have graduated from universities through NICTA-enhanced programs.

Website for further information:www.nicta.com.au

Business innovation

NICTA’s development of technologies continues to foster business innovation in the ICT field.


http://www.nicta.com.au/

NICTA’s four business teams have a clear focus on specific sector and industry driven outcomes. The Business Teams are based around recognised application domains for ICT:

Broadband and the Digital Economy; Health; Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics; and Safety and Security.

Since its inception in 2002, NICTA has enabled the establishment of eight spin-out companies: Audinate, Open Kernal Labs, 7-ip, Monitoring Division, Interferex, Cohesive Data, Nitero, Scalify and one spin-in venture – Goanna. These spin-out companies have generated 284 Australian jobs (cumulative figure) since 2007, with 66 of those generated in 2011.

In May 2011 NICTA’s spin-out company Nitero received $1.43 million funding from Commercialisation Australia to take its 60GHz gigabit wireless technology to the market.

In May 2012, NICTA announced the official launch of Scalify, a start-up company specialising in peer-to-peer networking technology. The Melbourne based company is supported by a $2 million investment by Starfish Ventures.

NICTA also leads a number of industry clusters. The e-Government (e-Gov) cluster comprising 25 members of both government and industry representation. Through the e-Gov cluster, NICTA is organising a FutureGov conference in which small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will have the opportunity to market their innovations to government. Being a member of the Bio21 Australia Cluster, NICTA is also running the eHealth Cluster which includes health departments, multinational corporations and SMEs.

Links and collaboration

Key to NICTA’s mission is continuing to partner and collaborate with member and partner organisations, and domestic and international ICT industry and science groups.

The Future Logistics Living Laboratory is a key example of the capacity for industry and research to collaborate with a view devising cost effective solutions to industry challenges. Opened in 2011, the laboratory is dedicated to creating ground breaking information technology for the transport and logistics sector. It provides a physical platform for the industry and research to overcome real-world logistical issues such rising fuel costs, road congestion and safety.

Every February NICTA holds its TechFest, an annual showcase of NICTA innovations. During this annual event NICTA holds its international science and business advisory groups (ISAG and IBAG) meeting. The meeting invites the international advisory groups to comment and advise on NICTA’s strategic vision and research activities.


In 2011, NICTA participated in the preparation of four European Union (EU) proposals as well as initiating major research collaboration in the area of privacy with French ICT research institute, INRIA.

Public sector and social innovation

NICTA has recently undertaken an analysis of their current projects to determine public and social benefits and outcomes. NICTA estimates that approximately 40 percent of their projects have a significant direct social or public benefit. For example, it is estimated that one in five Australians will suffer a period of chronic pain in their lifetime. Many others will suffer from neurological disorders - such as Parkinson's Disease - which produce debilitating physical symptoms. NICTA’s Implant Systems team is developing small, sophisticated and inexpensive implantable therapies and is conducting human trials with implantable medical devices which can be directly applied to spinal cord stimulation therapies for the relief of chronic pain.

Further, 20 percent of NICTA’s projects are analysed as having a direct environmental outcome, including the SmartGrid project which aims to significantly reduce energy consumption.


DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

Smart Infrastructure Awards

On 4 April 2012, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, awarded the 2011 Smart Infrastructure Awards. The awards consist of the Australian Smart Infrastructure Project Award for an innovative technology based project, and the Australian Smart Infrastructure Research Award which provides a $25,000 (GST exclusive) grant for an innovative proposal supporting excellence in smart infrastructure research and development. The Awards were sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.

The Smart Infrastructure Awards recognise excellence in design, delivery and use of Smart technologies in the provision of Infrastructure services in the following areas:

a national broadband network; a true national energy market; competitive international gateways; a national rail freight network; transforming our cities; providing essential indigenous infrastructure; and adaptable and secure water supplies to cope with climate change.

Joint winners of the 2012 Australian Smart Infrastructure Project Award were Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd for its Tasmanian Sustainable Irrigation Development project and Transfield Services for their Future Flow project.

The Tasmanian Sustainable Irrigation Development project involved the development of a series of 13 irrigation schemes which are to be completed in 2015. The project is to provide additional water to farmers and provide consistent water flow. The project will mitigate against the effects of drought in Tasmania and allow for new and/or intensified horticulture and livestock production in the area.

The Future Flow project has delivered water savings to northern Victorian farmers by converting sections of manually operated irrigation network to fully automated IT-based water delivery systems. It has resulted in consistent flow rates which have resulted in improved irrigation efficiency with most water savings being returned to the Northern Victorian Rivers and wetlands via environmental flows.

The Department of Infrastructure Engineering, the University of Melbourne, was presented the 2012 Australian Smart Infrastructure Research Award and a $25,000 research grant towards its Quantification of Design Innovation for Infrastructure Projects research proposal. This research proposal seeks to establish a refined and industry validated model for evaluating design value. Its aim is to improve overall economic productivity derived from the use of infrastructure and deliver greater transparency in how innovation and sustainability is assessed and how this can increase the likelihood of reduced bidding costs.

The Smart Infrastructure Awards are an ongoing annual event.


Website for further information:www.infrastructure.org.au/Content/2012NationalInfrastructureAwards.aspx

An agreed national policy framework for intelligent transport systems in Australia

Development of a policy framework for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) was initiated by Transport Ministers in late 2010. Emerging ITS technology has the potential to deliver significant safety, environmental and efficiency benefits to Australian transport users. Having considered this potential, Australian Transport Ministers agreed to develop a policy framework to build ITS into a shared vision of safe, sustainable, efficient, reliable and integrated transport. The policy framework is critical to guiding consistent application of policy principles to achieve the most cost effective implementation of ITS nationally, and across all transport modes. It ensures that the benefits gained from ITS can be optimised through national cooperation and not diluted by compatibility issues.

The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments led the development of the work., however, all jurisdictions were involved through the Austroads Cooperative ITS Steering Committee. Industry was consulted during the development process and on the final draft. Key national and federal bodies also contributed input to the framework including the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy, CSIRO and Infrastructure Australia. The Policy Framework for Intelligent Transport Systems in Australia was submitted to the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure at its meeting on 4 November 2011 and was endorsed by Australian Transport Ministers.

A web page to communicate the framework has been published and the endorsed framework is available to stakeholders.

Website for further information:www.infrastructure.gov.au .

National Smart Managed Motorways Program

The Australian Government has committed $60 million over four years to 2014-15 for projects under the National Smart Managed Motorways Program (the Program). Four projects were announced in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The aim of the Program is to deliver more efficient motorways through the application of modern technology-based solutions to improve real time management of major motorways. The technologies include data collection sensors to monitor traffic flows; variable speed limits to control traffic speeds; variable message signs to alert drivers to any incidents; and ramp metering to control the flow of traffic entering a motorway.

Funding has been approved for two initial projects in Sydney and Melbourne. These initial projects will demonstrate what might be achieved in the future through a wider implementation of this technology.


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At the conclusion of the Program, lessons learned will be developed via a workshop session.

Liveable Cities program

The Liveable Cities program consists of $20 million of Australian Government funding available over two years to (2013-2014) to help improve the planning and design in selected capital cities and major regional cities that are experiencing population growth pressures and housing and transport affordability cost pressures. The program seeks to build partnerships and links between local government, state governments and other organisations.

The program will also improve the capacity of cities to undertake strategic planning and demonstration projects in line with the Government’s National Urban Policy and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed criteria. The program will contribute to improving the productivity, sustainability and liveability of our cities.

Applications closed on 15 December 2011 and successful projects were announced in April 2012.

One of the successful projects, the Green Square Town Centre Tri-Generation, has an innovative approach to effective urban greenhouse gas reduction through the large scale co-location of tri-generation energy facilities for the supply of low carbon energy (electricity, hot and chilled water) to buildings to be developed in the Green Square Town Centre in Sydney. This project is expected to provide an example for other major urban centres of sustainable urban design.

An appropriate time for review is under consideration in line with the project management plan.

Website for further information:www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/funding/liveablecities/index.asp


http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/funding/liveablecities/index.asp

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Climate change science in Australia

Climate change science is a fundamental underpinning of Australian climate change policy. Australia has world class climate change science capabilities and is an important contributor to enhancing global understanding of climate change.

In 2009 the Australian Government released the Australian Climate Change Science: A National Framework, which identifies national climate change science priorities for the coming decade and sets out ways to harness our full science capacity to address them. In 2012, a High Level Coordination Group comprised of government departments and the scientific community agreed to A Plan for Implementing Climate Change Science in Australia (the Plan). The Australian Government has subsequently adopted the Plan. The aim of the Plan is to develop a single integrated program to address national climate change science priorities over the coming decade.

The Plan addresses the requirements for delivering high quality climate change science, including:

the provision of research infrastructure an appropriately sized and skilled research workforce, and facilitating international research collaboration.

Website for further information:www.climatechange.gov.au/en/climate-change/national-framework-science/plan.aspx

Clean Energy Future plan

To tackle climate change, Australia needs to transform its energy sector. In 2011 the Australian Government released its plan for a clean energy future. Central to the plan is the introduction of a carbon price into Australia’s economy, which commenced on 1 July 2012, creating a financial incentive to reduce carbon pollution and encouraging investment in renewable energy like wind and solar power and the use of cleaner fuels like natural gas.

The transformation of Australia’s energy sector towards clean energy sources will unfold over the coming decades. The Clean Energy Future plan recognises that innovation will play a pivotal role in reducing carbon pollution, which is why the Government is providing substantial new funding to promote innovation in clean energy including through:

a new $10 billion commercially oriented Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in renewable energy, low pollution and energy efficiency technologies

a new Australian Renewable Energy Agency to administer $3.2 billion in Government support for research and development, demonstration and commercialisation of renewable energy

an additional $200 million over five years through the Clean Technology Innovation Program to support business investment in research and development of clean technologies.


http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/climate-change/national-framework-science/plan.aspx

The Government’s new innovation measures build on a strong base of existing policies to promote innovation in renewable energy. These include the Renewable Energy Target (RET), which is legislated to ensure that 20 percent of Australia’s electricity supply comes from renewable sources by 2020. The RET is designed to speed up the adoption of renewable energy technologies and help smooth the transition to a clean energy future. The Government will also continue a range of existing programs to support clean energy innovation, with committed funding of over $2 billion.

Website for further information:www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au



DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES (DSEWPaC)

Much of DSEWPaC’s policy and regulatory functions are focused on making improvements to production technology and changing consumer behaviour. This lens of considering the innovation that is driven by our environmental policies and regulatory settings is an interesting one, and beyond discussion of carbon price effects, probably isn’t often thought of as an example of innovation. However, standards and well designed regulation can provide clear market signals and incentives for innovation. Examples include waste policy and reforms to Murray Darling Basin allocation and water trading arrangements.

Another useful example of an innovative approach to emerging challenges is the Biodiversity Fund, established as part of the Land Sector Package under the Clean Energy Future Plan. The Biodiversity Fund will integrate with the emerging carbon market, leveraging funding that will be available for carbon sequestration activities, to assist land managers enhance biodiversity and environmental resilience across the Australian landscape. This will ensure that carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation are complementary activities, rather than competing options for land use, which will maximise benefits for landholders and environmental outcomes.

All of the above are examples of green growth in practice, and illustrate how these trends represent a significant economic opportunity. Other opportunities to improve environmental and resource productivity include investing in public information. DSEWPaC is investing in activities that will improve availability of information for public and private users such as the National Plan for Environmental Information, the Measuring Sustainability Program, and the Bureau of Meteorology’s scientific research and information services.

Reef Rescue

Reef Rescue is a $200 million, five year (2008-2013) Australian Government initiative that is delivering assistance to agricultural land managers in the Great Barrier Reef catchments to reduce the runoff of soil, fertiliser and pesticides from their land into the reef lagoon. Reef Rescue investment priorities have been determined and are regularly reviewed based on the best available scientific information and expert advice.

Reef Rescue funding includes a $10 million allocation for the Reef Rescue Research and Development program. Eighteen research projects are being funded that will increase the understanding of the link between land management practices and their impact on water quality and the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Improved monitoring techniques for water quality are also being investigated. An independent research coordinator has been appointed to ensure effective coordination between Reef Rescue projects and other similar research programs.

Research outcomes will be used to improve the efficiency of Reef Rescue and similar program delivery.


Expenditure profile:

2008-09 = $1.0 million; 2009-10 = $0.1million; 2010-11 = $3.4 million; 2011-12 = $3.0 million; 2012-13 = $2.5 million

Websites for further information:rrrc.org.au/reefrescue

www.nrm.gov.au/funding/reef-rescue/index.html

Mobile apps for environmental information

In August 2011, DSEWPaC released an iPhone/iPad app called MyEnvironment. Using GPS or map based searching the app reports to the mobile user details of environmental themes and assets in their area of interest including: heritage places; listed threatened species and ecological communities; wetlands; protected areas; historic shipwrecks; weeds and invasive species. MyEnvironment is predominantly dynamic and draws heavily on DSEWPaC’s data and existing IT infrastructure including web services and Oracle databases. MyEnvironment also delivers RSS news feeds from the department.

This is the first use of smart phone technology to deliver environmental information to the public by DSEWPaC. It is an important investment in capability and exploration of the technology as use of mobile devices grows rapidly. User submitted content is one of the many possible future enhancements being considered for MyEnvironment.

Website for further information:www.environment.gov.au/about/media/myenvironment/index.html

Social media integration in stakeholder engagement for the Caring for our Country review

Caring for our Country is the Australian Government’s principal program for funding environmental management of our natural resources by supporting communities, farmers and other land managers to protect Australia's natural environment and sustainability. It is administered jointly by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

A review of Caring for our Country was undertaken to evaluate the initiative in 2011. The review was designed to seek community views about Caring for our Country; whether it had met its objectives and what issues may need to be considered in developing future options to support natural resource management. To consult with as many stakeholders as possible, social media (Facebook and Twitter) and an online forum were used to reach out to stakeholders and facilitate discussions.

The online forum created a space for stakeholders to see review updates, watch video submissions, take part in surveys, read formal submissions and see case studies. The use of social media facilitated stakeholder discussion and drove interest to the online forum. The review team found that the use of social media in the consultation process


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http://rrrc.org.au/reefrescue

allowed for a greater number of stakeholders to interact with the Australian Government, including those in remote locations.

Through the Caring for our Country review, over 4000 stakeholders were consulted. The use of social media was very successful in increasing interest in the Caring for our Country review, as Facebook and Twitter directed traffic to the online forum and provided opportunities for consultation.


Caring for our Country review www.caringforourcountryreview.com.au

Caring for our Countrywww.nrm.gov.au

Working on Country and Indigenous Protected Areas National Cybertracker Project

Objectives: To support Working on Country (WOC) and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) projects to collect and manage data relating to environmental activities; to provide environmental data to the Commonwealth to increase understanding of the outcomes of these programs; to improve reporting, monitoring and management outcomes of these programs.

Progress: This project focuses on the use of Cybertracker technology to improve the occurrence and consistency of environmental reporting, monitoring and management across each region. The project runs from 2010 to 2013 and in that time aims to build capacity of Indigenous participants and support staff to use Cybertracker and to facilitate the provision of basic environmental outcomes and/or outputs data to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC).

Cybertracker technology makes use of hand-held Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) that can be used to collect environmental information while conducting field work, which is later downloaded into a database and used for reporting and to inform management actions. The technology is robust under rugged conditions and also uses iconography which has had popular uptake with users who may not have high English literacy.

The project focuses on three regions – central, southern and northern Australia. In each region progress to date includes:

an audit of current capacity and use of Cybertracker across WOC and IPA projects, where required

continued training in the use of Cybertracker assessment of individual project environmental data collection needs and other

practical considerations identification of key datasets for provision to SEWPaC: datasets include

weeds (with a focus on Weeds of National Significance) and Threatened Species


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work with regional service providers towards standardising data collection sequences.

Website for further information:cybertracker.org/

Strategic assessments

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC) has been implementing an innovative environmental policy approach to landscape planning through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EBBC Act) strategic assessment provisions. Strategic assessments evaluate national environmental values within a landscape and, taking social and economic factors into account, as well as the principles of ecologically sustainable development, create a sustainability plan for the future of that landscape. To date, only three have been completed. The western Sydney Growth Centres strategic assessment, completed in December 2011, showcases the outcomes of this innovation.

This innovation has been taken one step further in SEWPaC’s new policy area Sustainable Regional Development, which requires developing sustainability plans in Australia’s high growth areas, in partnership with state and local governments to provide long-term sustainability and protect biodiversity values. The new policy has funding for four years to develop the approach and undertake seven regional plans. Achieving this will require developing further innovative approaches to managing landscapes to ensure equitable consideration of environmental, social and economic and environmental values at all governance levels. The department’s National Environmental Research Program (NERP) is contributing to the research, as well as the research-policy interface, to support innovation needed for this new policy area.

Website for further information: www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/assessments/western-sydney.html


http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/assessments/western-sydney.html

http://cybertracker.org/

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TERTIARY EDUCATION (DIISRTE)

Australian Space Research Program

The Australian Space Research Program (ASRP), announced in 2009, provides $40 million over four years through a competitive merit-based grants program to eligible consortia. The program is now fully committed with 14 projects funded under four rounds. It will conclude on 30 June 2013. The objective of the ASRP is to develop Australia’s niche space capabilities by supporting space-related research, innovation and skills in areas of national significance or excellence. The ASRP provides funding across two streams:

Stream A supports student projects and educational activities. Stream B supports collaborative space research and innovation projects.

An interim evaluation of the program conducted in 2012, confirmed its value in bringing together the Australian space industry and research communities and providing an important mechanism to encourage collaboration.

Automotive Transformation Scheme

The $3 billion, 10-year, Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS) encourages the competitive investment and innovation needed in the Australian automotive industry as it becomes economically and environmentally sustainable. The ATS provides assistance to participants for the production of motor vehicles and engines, and for investment in allowable research and development (R&D), and plant and equipment.

The ATS is focused on innovation, providing assistance payments of up to 50 percent of investment in allowable R&D, whilst investment in plant and equipment receives assistance payments of up to 15 percent. The ATS provides capped assistance for investment in R&D, plant and equipment, and production, as well as uncapped assistance for production. Capped assistance is set at $1.5 billion for Stage 1 (2011 to 2015) and $1 billion for Stage 2 (2016 to 2020). Uncapped assistance is provided for the production of vehicles from 2011 to 2017.

Business Online Services

In April 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) asked the Small Business Ministerial Council (SBMC) to develop a single, national way for businesses to register for an Australian Business Number and a business name (BN).

In April, 2008, the Council presented COAG with a business name for the concept.

In October 2008, COAG approved the council’s recommendation to set up the ABN BN Registration Project. The project is one of 27 COAG reform priorities aimed at helping businesses to be more productive and cut the cost of meeting government regulations.


Business Online Service (BOS) is part of the ABN BN Registration Project and will be released in several stages.

Business Online Service has two parts: Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS), which will be

a national service for businesses to help them find information such as business licences and supporting forms. Businesses will be able to find this information by using wizards and search functions, and

the Australian Business Account (ABA), which has been developed to help businesses manage their ongoing business interactions with all levels of government.

As of July 2012, the ABA has been released and the ABLIS will be released in the first quarter of 2012/13.

Business.gov.au

The Australian Government’s business website business.gov.au provides a portal for business information and tools to start, grow and close a business in Australia.

The website is a whole-of-government service that helps businesses to easily navigate all levels of government to find compliance information and government assistance.

business.gov.au (formerly Business Entry Point) was established in 1997 as part of the More Time for Business initiative.

As at July 2012, business.gov.au has: Averaged over 2 million visits and searches per month to all services; 20

million ABN searches a month and 35,000 planning tools downloaded a month.

Released Live Chat help service in conjunction with the Small Business Support Line.

Released the Advisor Finder service, helping businesses find their nearest government funded business advisor for expert one-on-one advice.

Added the new Emergency Management & Recovery topic which includes information about preparing for, taking action during and recovering from emergencies. The topic includes checklists and templates to assist businesses create their own Emergency Management Plan.

Released an iPad app version of the Emergency Management & Recovery Plan template.

Added a new Innovation topic which helps businesses become more competitive and adaptable.

Website for further information:www.business.gov.au

Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program

The Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program is a $200 million competitive, merit-based grants program to support Australian food and foundry


manufacturers to maintain competitiveness in a carbon constrained economy. This program will provide grants for investments in energy efficient capital equipment and low emission technologies, processes and products.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/CleanTechnology/CTFFIP/Pages/default.aspx

Clean Technology Innovation Program

The Clean Technology Innovation Program is a $200 million competitive, merit-based grants program to support applied research and development, proof of concept and early stage commercialisation activities that lead to the development of new clean technologies and associated services including low emission and energy efficient solutions, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is targeted at non tax exempt companies as well as wholly or majority owned Commonwealth or State Government bodies (i.e. electricity companies). It provides grants between $50,000 and $5 million on a co-investment basis of one dollar of government funding for each one dollar of the applicant’s investment. Applications involving collaboration with other partners (including international) are encouraged.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/CleanTechnology/CleanTechnologyInnovation/Pages/default.aspx

Clean Technology Investment Program

The Clean Technology Investment Program is an $800 million competitive, merit-based grants program to support Australian manufacturers to maintain competitiveness in a carbon constrained economy. This program will provide grants for investments in energy efficient capital equipment and low emission technologies, processes and products.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/CleanTechnology/CleanTechnologyInvestment/Pages/default.aspx

Clean Technology Program

The $1.2 billion Clean Technology Program is a central element of the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future plan announced in July 2011.

The $1.2 billion Clean Technology Program consists of three elements: $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program; $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program; and $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program.

Website for further information:www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au



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Clothing and Household Textile (Building Innovative Capability) scheme

The $112.5 million Clothing and Household Textile (Building Innovative Capability) scheme (BIC scheme) provides grants for innovative clothing and household textile activities. Grants are for research and development, including innovative product design activities, innovative process improvements, market research, and some industrial property rights expenditure. Grants are available on an entitlement basis and will fund up to 50 percent of the total eligible expenditure. This scheme concludes in 2016.

Website for further information: www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/manufacturing/bic-scheme/Pages/default.aspx

Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) program

The Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) program is providing up to $81.1 million of assistance for 15 projects from mid 2011 until mid 2016.

The CRN program assists less research-intensive higher education institutions develop their research capacity and adapt to a research system driven more strongly by performance outcomes by teaming up with other institutions in areas of common interest.

The CRN program is one part of the suite of reforms to higher education and research. The CRN program complements these other reforms of the research block grants system, which include a greater emphasis on collaboration between institutions and the business and non-government research sectors.

Website for further information:www.innovation.gov.au/Research/CollaborativeResearchNetworks/Pages/default.aspx

Commercialisation Australia

Commercialisation Australia is an important component of the Australian Government’s 10 year vision - Powering Ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century. It will receive $278 million over the five years to June 2014, with ongoing funding of $82 million per year thereafter.

Commercialisation Australia aims to build the capacity of, and opportunities for, Australia’s researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms to convert ideas into successful commercial ventures, enhancing Australia’s participation and competitiveness in the global economy and generating commercial returns from Australia’s significant investment in public sector research.

Commercialisation Australia consists of four components:

Skills and Knowledge offers grants of up to $50,000 to purchase expert advice and services. This component is most suited to people new to commercialisation - researchers, individuals and small companies - who know their IP has commercial potential, but who don’t know what to do next. Case Managers and Volunteer Business Mentors help participants identify what


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specialist advice they most need and where to access it. Participants in the Skills and Knowledge component can apply for other components of the program at any time. Applicants need to match the grant funding on an 80:20 basis, where the applicant contributes 20%.

Experienced Executives provides grants of up to $350,000 over two years (up to $175,000 per year) to engage an experienced Chief Executive Officer or other executive. This component is designed to give small innovative firms and people new to business the experienced management skills they need. Participants in the Experienced Executives component can apply for other components of the program at any time. Applicants need to match the grant funding on a 50:50 basis.

Proof of Concept grants from $50,000 up to $250,000 to assist with establishing the commercial viability of a new product, process or service. Applicants need to match the grant funding on a 50:50 basis.

Early Stage Commercialisation provides grants from $50,000 up to $2 million to undertake activities focused on bringing a new product, process or service to market. Applicants need to match the grant funding on a 50:50 basis.

Each successful applicant will be assigned a Case Manager to guide them through the commercialisation process and to facilitate access to experienced business mentors and other support.

Website for further information:www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au.

Cooperative Research Centres Impact Study

The department commissioned the Allen Consulting Group (ACG) to undertake a study on the economic, social and environmental impacts of the CRC program. The study quantified known impacts from 117 CRCs (or 62% of all CRCs). From a range of products, processes, technologies, and services it was estimated that almost $14.5 billion of gross direct economic impacts have accrued as a result of CRC program. This includes $8.6 billion of impacts already materialised and a further $5.9 billion of imminent impacts estimated to occur over the next five years.

Recognising that the direct economic impacts are likely to be spread throughout the economy in a number of different, complex and unexpected ways, the ACG estimated the broader, economy wide impacts of the CRC program by using the Monash Multi-Region Forecasting model (MMRF). The MMRF model is a computable general equilibrium model of the Australian economy and has been used in a wide range of policy studies, including the analysis of state tax reforms, the National Reform Agenda and the Garnaut Climate Change Review. This analysis accounts for interconnections and relationships that exist throughout the economy. The analysis identified the direct and indirect impacts of CRCs generated a net economic benefit of $7.5 billion that equates to a contribution of around 0.03 percentage points to Australia's GDP per annum (approximately $278 million per annum).


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Importantly, these figures understate the total impact of the program as the model does not account for non-monetary benefits that have accrued from investment and innovation stemming from CRCs, which include:

environmental benefits (impacts on land, ecosystems, pollutants, plants, animals and biodiversity);

social benefits (health and wellbeing of individuals, creating networks, jobs, increased collaboration, training and innovation capacity); and

preparedness (climate and other hazards mitigation strategies and biosecurity; such as planning for hazard events that allow society and industry to consider mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect livelihood and avoid losses).

Other broad benefits also include the productivity and efficiencies gained from a better trained and educated workforce (4,400 postgraduate degrees have been awarded to CRC trained students); the increased scientific networks between researchers and end users, including international engagement; increased business diversity and job creation; the general wellbeing and health of the community and environment.

Senator Chris Evans released the impact study during National Science Week and the report is now available from the CRC program web site.

Website for further information:www.crc.gov.au

Sample case studies of CRC:

1) Collaboration: CRC for High Integrity Pork:

Dr Brian Luxford from Rivalea (Australia’s largest pork production company) explains the value of the Pork CRC in the following quote taken from the earlier Pork CRC’s exit report

“The CRC with its emphasis on collaboration has provided significant opportunities for interaction with both other producers and scientific groups. The benchmarking program established by the CRC is one example. This program provides a forum where producers can jointly seek solutions to improve productivity. The development of the base funding model has brought additional researchers utilizing Rivalea’s facilities. This has provided additional opportunities for exchange of ideas”.

Across its three programs, the Pork CRC has imminent impacts that accrue over $300 million to the value of the industry over the next 15 years.

2) Commercialisation and Training: The CRC for Rail Innovation:

The Rail CRC has developed a range of products, processes and services with imminent economic impacts. Some include the following:

the development of fatigue software which will reduce fatigue related injuries in the rail industry and improve driver performance. The impact is anticipated to begin occurring in 2014, with annual savings attributable to the CRC of $10.2 million; and


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improving knowledge of best learning practice for drivers and developing new and effective delivery methods which will increase the speed of entry of new drivers to the workforce, improve safety, reduce training times and associated salary costs. This will be achieved through the use of simulators to accelerate driver training and improving route knowledge acquisition and promote the case for driver only operations with an emphasis on safety. The impact is anticipated to begin occurring in 2013, with annual savings attributable to the CRC of $35.6 million.

3) Preparedness/Social/Environment: The CRC for National Plant Biosecurity undertakes research into agriculture

pest surveillance and risk prevention to reduce the probability of entry of plant biosecurity threats to our environment and plant industries. The software, hardware, training, and education services developed by the CRC have a total estimated benefit of at least $26 million per year over 20 years.

The Bushfire CRC activities result in a reduction in the marginal cost of service delivery, reduction in loss of life, reduction in fire related injuries, improved community health, reduction of property losses and reduction of community anxiety.

Cooperative Research Centres program

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program is a long standing government initiative that supports end user driven partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end users to address clearly articulated, major challenges facing Australia, many of which are global challenges.

The CRC program also supports international collaboration. CRCs are encouraged to engage globally and much of the research undertaken by CRCs is world leading. In 2010-11, CRCs reported 431 collaborative alliances with 45 countries. CRC international collaborations are diverse and include: participation in CRCs as a contributing participant, joint research projects and commercialisation, access to research facilities and infrastructure, participation in international committees and advisory boards, workshops and training sessions, and study tours, student placements and exchanges.

The program supports the foundations of long term competiveness in a given sector through its contributions to driving innovation through applied research, capacity building (e.g. skills formation and workforce development) and other activities that transcend the needs of individual partners. Since the program commenced in 1991, 196 CRCs have been funded. The Australian Government has committed more than $3.5 billion in CRC program funding. Industries, universities, government, not for profits, and international organisations have committed a further $11.4 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

The Australian Government will provide more than $150 million to 37 CRCs in 2012-13.

Website for further information:www.crc.gov.au


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CRC Star Award 2012

Two Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) received the 2012 CRC STAR Award for outstanding collaboration with small to medium enterprise:

HEARing CRC with Polaris Communications Pty Ltd to combat hearing loss; and

CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management with Mainpac Pty Ltd to make businesses more sustainable.

The CRC STAR award recognises outstanding achievement in SME engagement by CRCs. The 2012 awards were presented by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC, on behalf of Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skill, Science and Research during the Australian Collaborative Innovation Awards Dinner in Adelaide on 16 May 2012.

Website for further information:minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/MediaReleases/Pages/AwardforoutstandingCRCcollaborationswithbusiness.aspx

Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership Program

The Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) program, commenced in 2007. The program aims to stimulate investment in Australia's early-stage venture capital sector by offering flow-through tax treatment and tax-exempt returns for both domestic and foreign investors in an ESVCLP fund. ESVCLPs are venture capital funds structured as limited partnerships that make equity investments to fund the growth of start-up and expanding Australian businesses with assets of up to $50 million. As at 30 June 2012, there were 11 registered ESVCLPs with $120 million in committed capital. Since inception of the program in 2007, $27 million has been invested by ESVCLPs in eligible Australian businesses, including $17.5 million in 16 businesses during 2011-12.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/esvclp/Pages/default.aspx

Focusing Australia’s Publicly Funded Research Review

During 2011 a taskforce undertook a review of Australia’s publicly-funded research system - the Focusing Australia’s Publicly Funded Research Review. The review addressed issues such as: the roles of publicly funded research agencies; the appropriateness of the current level and balance of public funding for different types of research; the utility of the current public funding arrangements including the role of the National Research Priorities in meeting national priorities and needs; the value of a long-term strategy to provide collaborative research infrastructure; and options to develop performance measures to evaluate publicly funded research programs.


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The review made four major recommendations, all of which were accepted by government. These recommendations were:

1. That an Australian Research Committee be established to develop, among other responsibilities, a national research investment plan to cover the full range of research activities, including human capital, infrastructure and collaborations.

2. That the department consult with the research sector and other relevant stakeholders on changes to the existing National Research Priorities.

3. That the department undertake a feasibility study on possible approaches for developing a rigorous, transparent, system-wide Australian research impact assessment mechanism, separate from Excellence in Research for Australia, to evaluate the wider benefits of publicly funded research.

4. That consideration be given to initiatives to encourage, recognise and reward collaboration between universities and industry and other end users.

The Minister released outcomes of the review – Maximising the innovation dividend: review key findings and future directions – on 3 November 2011, and the review’s recommendations are now being implemented.

Website for further information:www.innovation.gov.au/Research/Pages/FocusingAustraliasPubliclyFundedResearch.aspx

Green Car Innovation Fund

The $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF), supported projects that enhanced the research, development and commercialisation of Australian technologies that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles. Supported projects include: GM Holden’s new Cruze small car; Toyota Australia’s hybrid Camry and global engine line; an EcoBoost engine for Ford’s Falcon; Orbital Australia developing direct-injection technologies for the rapidly expanding Chinese market; and SMR Automotive Australia developing innovative, light-weight, vehicle mirrors. The GCIF was closed to new applicants on 27 January 2011.

IBM Research and Development Laboratory

On 14 October 2011 Senator the Hon Kim Carr, then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and the Premier of Victoria jointly launched the IBM Research and Development Laboratory located at the University of Melbourne. The Australian Government will provide $22 million over six years from 2010/2-11 toward the establishment of the Laboratory.

The Laboratory will undertake research and development in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, CSIRO, National ICT Australia and Australian industry aligned to our national research priorities. Research will focus on the key issues facing Australia, and current projects include: Bio Nano Sensors for Accelerated Drug


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Discovery; Victorian Information Network for Emergencies; Machine Learning for Characterisation of Geothermal Targets; and the SenseT – Tasmanian Sensor Network.

The laboratory is a new model for public/private collaboration on research which will foster innovation. The Government recognises the benefits that may be obtained by linking university and public sector research with a very significant technology and research-based global company that has the capacity to commercialise research outcomes. The Laboratory will enhance Australia’s ability to attract and retain key researchers and provide new opportunities for Australian PhD students to work in a commercially focused R&D organisation. The project is expected to attract 150 researchers over the six year period.

Industry Innovation Councils

Industry Innovation Councils (Councils) were formed to contribute to building a strong culture of innovation in Australian industry and perform a leadership role in transforming targeted industries.

The focus of Councils is innovation to improve productivity, competitiveness, skills and sustainability. They:

provide strategic advice on innovation priorities to the Minister, champion innovation in industry; and build connections and collaborate with other innovation initiatives and

organisations.

Councils’ activities aligned with the Government’s aim ‘to make innovation a way of life’ as articulated in Powering Ideas: an Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century (p.1).

The terms of the Councils are as follows: Pulp and Paper Industry Innovation Council concluded on 27 July 2011 Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council concluded on 30 June 2012 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry Innovation Council concluded on 30

June 2012 Steel Industry Innovation Council concludes on 30 December 2012 Automotive Industry Innovation Council concludes on 31 December 2012 Built Environment Industry Innovation Council concludes on 31 December

2012 Space Industry Innovation Council concludes on 31 December 2012 Information Technology Industry Innovation Council concludes on 30 June

2013

For further information on the Industry Innovation Councils go to:www.innovation.gov.au/industryinnovationcouncils

Innovation Investment Follow-on Fund

The Australian Government’s Innovation Investment Follow-on Fund (IIFF) is a temporary, targeted and timely response to the lack of venture capital available to high potential innovative companies during the global financial crisis. The program


http://www.innovation.gov.au/industryinnovationcouncils

was implemented in August 2009 and will run for three years. To 30 June 2012, $59.3 million (of total program funding of $64.4 million) had been paid to fund managers for follow-on investment in these companies.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/iiff/Pages/default.aspx

Innovation Investment Fund

The Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) commenced in 1997. It is a venture capital co-investment program that aims to develop fund managers, encourage the growth of new companies that are commercialising R&D, create a medium term self sustaining funding pool, and develop a self sustaining early-stage venture capital industry in Australia. The program supports fund managers to invest in early-stage companies commercialising Australian R&D. It involves co-investment of government and private sector capital. Of the 16 licensed funds under IIF, only seven have the capacity to make new and follow on investments, as the other nine have come to the end of their investment period. The IIF funds support the development of early-stage companies in a variety of sectors, including biotechnology, internet, information technology and telecommunications, industrial/energy and medical.

On 7 December 2011, the Australian Government announced the fourth funding tranche of the IIF, Round 3. Under this tranche the Commonwealth would match up to $100 million of private investment in venture fund managers. This would result in $200 million of venture capital being available for early-stage investments.

Website for Further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/iif/Pages/default.aspx

Joint Research Engagement Grant – Engineering Cadetships

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr announced the Joint Research Engagement – Engineering Cadetships on 9 December 2011.

The JRE Grant – Engineering Cadetships will enable participating higher education institutions to support the research training costs associated with higher degree by research students undertaking a cadetship in areas of engineering or science. Cadetships will involve a combination of formal research training (research doctorate or research masters) with the institution and concurrent employment by a business to carry out R&D activities. The initiative will take advantage of the R&D Tax Incentive to encourage companies to build innovative capacity within their workforces with firms that engage cadets able to claim eligible expenditure under the R&D Tax Incentive.

Participating institutions will receive an additional $5,000 per student annually to supplement the research training costs for each domestic student participating in the program. This funding will enable the institution to customise the student’s research training experience to enhance their career prospects as well as to increase overall collaboration between universities and industry to strengthen R&D outcomes.


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The initiative is a new element within the existing JRE scheme which encourages linkages between universities and end-users. The JRE Grant - Engineering Cadetship scheme will run from 2012 to 2015 with the Australian Government providing $12.75 million from within the JRE scheme over this period. Approximately 265 commencing engineering cadetships are expected to be delivered per year (about 1000 in total) at a cost of $5,000 per place.

Delivery of the initiative commenced in March 2012. Thirty-five of the 41 universities have participated in the 2012 allocations.

Websites for further information:archive.innovation.gov.au/ministersarchive2011/carr/MediaReleases/Pages/249MILLIONFORUNIVERSITYBUSINESSRDPARTNERSHIPS.html

www.innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchBlockGrants/Pages/JointResearchEngagement.aspx

Mission-based compacts

Powering Ideas, the government’s innovation agenda announced in the 2009-10 Budget, flagged the introduction of mission-based compacts with universities to facilitate the distribution of performance-based funds, align institutional activity with national priorities, and build research capacity and international competitiveness. Compacts outline the relationship between the Commonwealth and individual universities and provide a framework for jointly achieving the government’s reform agenda and institutions’ individual missions.

Universities, in consultation with government, articulated in the compacts their unique roles in Australia’s innovation system by aligning institutional activity with national priorities. Compacts recognise the value of institutional autonomy, promote excellence, and support growth while facilitating greater specialisation within the sector and greater diversity of missions.

Discussions with universities during 2011 focused on individual institutions’ strategies to support government policy and progress the quality of research, research training and innovation.

Compacts were finalised with universities in late 2011 and cover the period 2011-13. Universities that are eligible to receive performance funding had their compact tabled in Parliament in accordance with subsection 30-25(4) of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 in February 2012. The compacts and a summary report of the compacts were published on the Innovation website.

Website for further information:www.innovation.gov.au/Research/MissionBasedCompacts/Pages/default.aspx


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New Air Combat Capability-Industry Support Program

DIISRTE administers elements of the New Air Combat Capability-Industry Support Program (NACC-ISP) on behalf of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO). NACC-ISP provides funding to Australian companies and research organisations to support the development of new or improved capabilities that may enhance their ability to win work in the production, sustainment and follow-on development phases of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. The program, which opened to applications in August 2011, was allocated funding of $8.2 million over four years to 2014. Program funding and grant payments are managed by the DMO.

Website for further information:www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au/who/defence/Pages/NewAirCombatCapabilityIndustrySupportProgram.aspx

Policy development on Australia’s use of satellites

The Australian Government released the Principles for a National Space Industry Policy on 26 September 2011. The Principles were developed to establish a framework for Australian space policy and space priorities. The Principles will guide the development of a comprehensive national space industry policy which will provide a clear understanding of what our interests and objectives are for space, and a mechanism to identify those interests and act in a coordinated manner to pursue them.

The Principles:a) Focus on space applications of national significance;b) Assure access to space capability;c) Strengthen and increase international cooperation;d) Contribute to a stable space environment;e) Improve domestic coordination;f) Support innovation, science and skills development; andg) Contribute to national security and economic well-being.

The Space Policy Unit is coordinating a whole-of-government project to develop the Principles for a National Space Industry Policy into a fully-fledged policy for strengthening Australia’s use of satellites. Australia’s Satellite Utilisation Policy will undergo consultation with key stakeholders before likely release in 2013.

Website for further information:www.space.gov.au.

Pooled Development Funds Program

The Pooled Development Funds (PDF) was introduced in 1992. The program is designed to increase the supply of capital to growing Australian small and medium sized enterprises by providing PDFs and their shareholders with tax benefits on the income and capital gains derived from their equity investments. PDFs are venture capital funds structured as companies that make equity investments in start-up and


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expanding Australian businesses with assets of up to $50 million. The program closed to new applicants in June 2007 and has been replaced by the Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships program. As at 30 June 2012, 40 PDFs remained registered. Approximately $850 million has been invested by PDFs in eligible Australian businesses since the program began in 1992, including $2.1 million in 15 businesses during 2011-12.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/pdf/Pages/default.aspx

Pre-seed Fund

The Pre-Seed Fund (PSF) program was introduced in 2001 to increase the commercialisation of promising research opportunities within Australian universities, Cooperative Research Centres and Australian public sector research agencies. The Commonwealth committed $72.7 million to the program and in 2002 four managers were licensed. To 30 June 2012 $68.7 million of this had been drawn by the four managers with an additional $29.7 million of program money coming from private investors.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/psf/Pages/default.aspx

R&D Tax Incentive

The R&D Tax Incentive is a targeted, generous and easy to access entitlement program that helps businesses offset some of the costs of doing R&D. The Program aims to encourage businesses to conduct more R&D and it better targets activities that are likely to deliver wider benefits to the economy. It is a broad-based entitlement program. This means that it is open to firms of all sizes in all sectors who are conducting eligible R&D. It provides more generous rates of support for businesses, especially small and medium-sized firms, than the R&D Tax Concession that it replaced.

The two core components are: a 45 percent refundable tax offset to eligible entities with an aggregated

turnover of less than $20 million per annum a non-refundable 40 percent tax offset to all other eligible entities.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/innovation-rd/RD-TaxIncentive/Pages/default.aspx

Sustainable Research Excellence

Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE) provides block grants on a calendar year basis to eligible higher education providers. SRE was announced in the 2009 Budget. Its objectives are to help address an identified shortfall in funding the indirect costs associated with receiving a competitive research grant (e.g. ARC or NHMRC) and


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will support universities to build and maintain research excellence. By 2013-14 SRE will provide ongoing, indexed funding of more than $334 million.

Access to 80 percent of SRE funding is conditional on universities participating in Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and in a costing exercise.

ERA is undertaken by the ARC and identifies areas of research excellence. Its use in SRE will ensure support of research excellence where ever it occurs.

The costing exercise (known as Transparent Costing) identifies differences in indirect costs of research at individual universities. Its use in SRE facilitates greater accountability for higher education providers’ use of public investment in research and helps their capacity to strategically manage resources to meet costs associated with research activities.

Website for further information:www.innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchBlockGrants/Pages/SustainableResearchExcellence.aspx

Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Capability Program

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Capability Program (TCF SCP) provides competitive, merit based grants to projects that support innovative capability in the TCF industries at the enterprise and workplace level. The TCF SCP will contribute one dollar for every dollar contributed. This program runs to June 2015.

Seventeen innovative industry projects have been supported under funding rounds one and two of the program.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/manufacturing/tcf-scp/Pages/default.aspx

Textile, Clothing and Footwear Small Business Program

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Small Business Program (TCF SBP) provides grants to eligible TCF small businesses to improve their business enterprise culture. Competitive, merit-based grants up to $50,000 are available to eligible TCF small businesses that have fewer than 20 employees, have a minimum turnover of $100,000 and can provide a minimum cash contribution to the project of 25% of eligible expenditure. Funding of $2.5 million is available per year under the TCF SBP up to the end of the 2015-16 financial year.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/small-business/tcf-sbp/Pages/default.aspx

The Research Workforce Strategy

The Research Workforce Strategy was launched on 19 April 2011 and continues to provide a framework for the Government to meet Australia’s research workforce challenges. The strategy covers the decade to 2020, considering the key challenges and opportunities for Australia’s research workforce and mechanisms to address them.


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The overarching objective of the strategy is to develop a strong and productive research workforce to support the Government’s reform agenda for innovation and higher education in Australia and contribute to the productivity gains which will ultimately underpin Australia’s future prosperity under an innovation economy. The implementation of the strategy over the next decade will involve collaboration between governments, universities and other research training providers and public and private researcher employers.

The current focus of work on the RWS includes: research training quality taking into consideration the submissions to a consultation paper released in 2011; a second examination of the full cost of research training in Australian universities; research career support including the development of a communication platform; and a number of funded projects.

Website for further information:http://innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchWorkforceIssues/

The Steel Transformation Plan

The Steel Transformation Plan (STP) is a $300 million program operating over six payment years from 2011–12 that aims to encourage investment, innovation and competitiveness in the Australian steel manufacturing industry in order to assist the industry to transform into an efficient and economically sustainable industry in a low carbon economy. This will be achieved in a way that improves environmental outcomes and promotes the development of workforce skills in the Australian steel manufacturing industry.

The STP contains two elements, the first is a $300 million entitlement (self-assessment) scheme (the Plan) that will operate over the five payment years from 2012-13. The second is the competitiveness assistance advance payments up to the value of $164 million in 2011-12. Entitlements under the Plan will be reduced by the value of any advance payments made.

It will provide support payments of up to 40 percent of investment in eligible innovation, whilst eligible investment will receive support payments of up to 25 percent. Eligible corporations under the STP are required to demonstrate progress towards achieving improved environmental outcomes and workforce skills development.

The STP targets large steel manufacturers of carbon steel from cold ferrous feed and manufacturers of integrated iron and steel that produced a minimum of 500,000 tonnes of crude carbon steel in the 2009-2010 financial year and the financial year preceding the application.

The Steel Transformation Plan 2012, the legislative instrument that contains the administrative details of the Steel Transformation Plan, came into operation on 1 May 2012.

Website for further information:www.innovation.gov.au/Industry/CleanEnergyFuture/Pages/SteelTransformationPlan.aspx


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Venture Capital Limited Partnership Program

The Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) program was introduced in 2002.The program is designed to increase foreign investment in the Australian venture capital market by offering flow-through tax treatment and an exemption from capital gains tax for eligible foreign investors in a VCLP fund. VCLPs are venture capital funds structured as limited partnerships that make equity investments to fund the growth of start-up and expanding Australian businesses with assets of up to $250 million. As at 30 June 2012 there were 43 registered VCLPs with $5.9 billion in committed capital, of which 30 percent represents capital invested by foreign investors. Since the inception of the program, $2.29 billion has been invested by VCLPs in eligible Australian businesses, including $313 million in 84 businesses during 2011-12.

Website for further information:www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/venture-capital/vclp/Pages/default.aspx

Workforce Innovation Program

(Discontinued from 1 July 2012)

The Workforce Innovation Program (WIP) has sought to promote a workforce development approach to address industry skill needs by focusing on the development of skills and management to create an innovation culture in Australian workplaces.

It has provided support for the development of ‘skills for environmental sustainability and contributed towards the strengthening of the training systems support for emerging technologies. With a strong focus on strong dissemination of project outcomes and tools to stakeholders, best practice workforce development approaches have been instilled into Australia’s training culture and systems.

An example of a recent achievement under WIP is a project which succeeded in driving business growth with interactive media.

The Interactive Skills Integration Scheme (ISIS) funded under WIP through DIISRTE and the Victorian Government’s Department of Business and Innovation sought to show the value of interactive media skills to different industry sectors such as mining, health and education. The project has realised some real commercial outcomes and to learn about the project and its outcomes, please go to the website.

Website for further information:www.creativeinnovation.net.au/Features/Industry-transformation/Driving-business-growth-with-interactive-media-skills-.html


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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY GOVERNMENT

Entrepreneur Development Fund

The Entrepreneur Development Fund (EDF) is a pilot program funded by the ACT Government, Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre Pty Ltd and Epicorp. Starting in July 2011, the EDF pilot program will run until 31 December 2012.

The EDF is designed to contribute to the costs of skills and knowledge transfer to high-growth potential businesses in the ACT in order to help them obtain or refine key skills and capabilities, grow the company, and achieve business goals. The EDF is intended to supplement existing ACT and Australian Government grants and to address funding shortfalls in facilitating skills and knowledge transfer for small to medium high-growth potential businesses in the ACT.

Website for further information:http://www.lighthouseinnovation.com.au/content/entrepreneur-development-fund-edf


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QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

Skills and research capacity

In 2011, the Queensland Government continued its support for science, research and innovation.

A range of collaborative research projects were supported during 2011, along with the retention and attraction of highly skilled researchers through the range of fellowship and scholarship programs offered.

Business innovation: The Queensland Business Innovation Survey 2011

The Queensland Business Innovation Survey (QBIS) is produced in partnership with the University of Queensland Business School.

The QBIS has been an important tool to inform government policies and programs.

The survey offers data at a level of detail previously unavailable and can measure key and complementary indicators, such as levels and types of collaboration, employee education and training rates, export and turnover data and R&D activity - at the industry and regional Queensland level.


NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT

Research Attraction and Acceleration Program

In the 2012/13 budget the NSW Government committed $13 million towards a new Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP). The RAAP will work to enhance NSW’s research and development capacity by increasing the competitiveness of bids made by NSW research consortia.

The RAAP will build on the progress achieved under the Government’s Science Leveraging Fund last year, which attracted significant funding from a number of sources including the Commonwealth, industry and philanthropic organisations.

The Government will invest $8 million of the RAAP into supporting National ICT Australia (NICTA). NICTA is the nation’s leading research institution for information and communications technology headquartered at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney.

The NSW Government will use the RAAP to support a number of initiatives including the Commonwealth Government’s highly prestigious, high impact ARC Centres of Excellence Program, as well as the Cooperative Research Centres Program and Education Investment Fund which provides research infrastructure for NSW State’s universities.

Establishing new capabilities: Centre for International Finance and Regulation

The Centre for International Finance and Regulation (CIFR) is a new national centre established to assist the finance industry, government and regulators to meet emerging challenges and opportunities in the field of international finance and regulation, through funding and promoting world class research and education and related activities. The inaugural CEO, banking and finance law specialist Ros Grady, was announced in March 2012. Hosted by the University of New South Wales, CIFR is a powerful consortium of universities, research houses and finance sector industry leaders; established with over $24 million support from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments and universities and industry partners.

CIFR will have research, teaching, industry engagement and policy roles with a substantial agenda encompassing regional and global financial market developments; financial stability; sustaining economic growth; eliminating excessive risk taking and fostering innovation through design and implementation of regulatory standards.

Website for further information:www.cifr.edu.au


http://www.cifr.edu.au/

Establishing New Capabilities: Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation

The Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation (ACBI) was launched in October 2011 as a joint initiative between the NSW Government, CSIRO and National ICT Australia (NICTA). The Centre works with industry to develop innovative broadband-enabled services, to demonstrate their use in real world situations and to evaluate the potential commercial and social value of the services and applications enabled by next generation broadband technologies. Areas of focus for ACBI include: Media and Entertainment; Health and Ageing; Education and Learning; Government and Business Services; Smart Infrastructure; Social and Economic Analysis.

Website for further information:http://acbi.net.au/

NSW Social Benefit Bonds

The NSW Government announced in the 2011-12 Budget that it would trial Australia’s first Social Benefit Bond (SBB) program to address a range of social challenges facing the State. A SBB is a new financial instrument in which private investors provide up-front funding to service providers to deliver improved social outcomes. If these outcomes are delivered, there are reduced cost pressures to government enabling pay-back of the up-front funding as well as providing a return on that investment.

In September 2011 a Request for Proposal was launched to identify suitable pilot projects. The Benevolent Society, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank of Australia and UnitingCare Burnside were selected for two Out-of-Home Care related pilots, and Social Finance and Mission Australia were selected to lead a Recidivism pilot. These projects will be further developed in partnership with the NSW Government in the Joint Development Phase. If successful, up to three Bonds will be implemented at the completion of the phase. Other Australian and overseas jurisdictions have expressed strong interest in the trial.

Website for further information:http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/site_plan/social_benefit_bonds

Industry Action Plans

The NSW Government is developing Industry Action Plans (IAPs) to position key sectors of the State's economy for strong growth, resilience, improved innovation and productivity, global competitiveness, and new investment opportunities over the next decade. These sectors include Manufacturing, Professional Services (finance and insurance; legal and regulatory services and engineering services), the Digital Economy; Tourism and Events; and International Education and Research. Supported by Industry Taskforces and overseen by the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council, the IAPs are scheduled for release by the end of 2012. Each IAP will outline a vision and 10 year development strategy for each industry; identify drivers for, and barriers to, growth and innovation; detail a program and mechanisms for government


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and industry to encourage sector growth, competitiveness and innovation; and contain key performance metrics.

Website for further information:http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/doing-business-in-nsw/industry-action-plans

Collaborative Solutions Program Round 2

In May 2012, the NSW Government announced nearly $1 million in funding for seven projects under Round 2 of the Collaborative Solutions Program, focusing on the use of mobile and wireless solutions to improve public-sector productivity. The seven projects, all led by small-to-medium sized ICT companies are expected to create over 200 jobs and $80 million dollars in revenue, including $50 million in exports, over the next three years. Projects include digital services to enhance the 21st century visitor experience at cultural institutions; smart camera mobile technology to tackle exhibit theft; mobile location technology to assist bio-security officers in the field; mobile technology to help streamline trade missions; and a highly scalable infrastructure platform to support development of mobile applications for government.

Website for further information:www.business.nsw.gov.au/collaborativesolutions

International technology connections

In May 2012, the NSW Government announced the appointment of a new NSW senior business representative in the United States to spearhead connections in Silicon Valley at a new office in the Stanford University Mid-Point Technology Park in the Nest GSV (Global Silicon Valley) Centre. The appointment follows the establishment in February 2012 of StartUpHouse in Redlands to support technology companies trying to get a foothold in Silicon Valley. StartUpHouse will provide emerging companies and entrepreneurs with a collaborative working environment connecting them to fellow entrepreneurs and mentors. NSW Trade & Investment, through the Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) program, will support selected NSW startups by providing a subsidy of up to 50 percent of the costs up to AUD$1,250 to utilise the facilities.

Website for further information:http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/assistance-and-support/grants/business/startuphouse

NSW TechVouchers Program

In 2012 the Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) is supporting a new round of the NSW TechVouchers program administered by NSW Trade and Investment. TechVouchers offer financial support to businesses to better access cutting-edge research to develop and improve their products, services and practices. The program encourages collaboration between NSW small-to-medium enterprises and public sector research organisations by helping SMEs engage with these research organisations.


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The first round of the pilot program awarded 71 TechVouchers to develop commercialisation pathways by establishing connections between industry and research organisations. It is expected that the second round will be fully subscribed with an additional 33 vouchers issued by December 2012.

Website for further information:http://ww3.business.nsw.gov.au/TechVouchers/home.aspx

Environmental sustainability & social housing

One of the largest social housing providers in the world, the NSW Land and Housing Corporation has been recognised for its environmental leadership and innovation, winning the Public Sector Sustainability Award at the 2011 Green Globe Awards.

Key platforms of its Environmental Sustainability Strategy released in February 2012 include:

Supporting sustainable communities by assisting low income and socially disadvantaged communities to reduce energy and water. In a first for a social housing project in Australia, new residential developments in Lilyfield and Redfern have achieved a 5 star Green Rating.

Innovative building design and maintenance including replacement of electric with solar hot water systems; installation of solar photovoltaic systems for common areas in new residential developments; and pursuing carbon neutral targets for new homes and major upgrades.

Conserving natural resources through installation of rainwater tanks and introduction of recycling services.

Adapting to climate change through ceiling insulation in dwellings and corporate energy efficiency programs, including purchase of a minimum of 12 percent Green Power for offices and common areas, compared with an overall 6 percent target for Government.

Website for further information:http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/About+Us/Environmental+Sustainability.htm

Cross-portfolio innovation

The NSW Government has established a range of cross-portfolio initiatives over the last year to drive innovation and productivity; deliver better services and outcomes; and improve engagement between government, the business sector and communities.

These initiatives include:

NSW ICT Strategy

In May 2012 the NSW Government launched a new website and the NSW Government ICT Strategy 2012 which sets out initial steps to improve service delivery, provide greater transparency and obtain better value from government investment in ICT. In addition to improved infrastructure and supporting procurement reform, key platforms include:


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Service NSW - designed to improve and simplify customer access to government services.

Open government -to enable industry and the community to provide feedback and better engage in policy development.

Open data - to improve management of and public access to government data sets, including development of an open access licensing framework.

Website for further information:

http://services.nsw.gov.au/ict/

Coal Innovation NSW

In 2011 the NSW Government introduced legislative reforms to establish Coal Innovation NSW and the Coal Innovation NSW Fund (formerly the Clean Coal Council and Clean Coal Fund). The reforms are designed to more accurately reflect the functions of the Council, and to focus on innovations in research and applications to deliver low emissions coal technologies. These technologies will facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction, preparation or use of coal. Council members were appointed in February 2012.

Website for further information:Currently under redevelopment


http://services.nsw.gov.au/ict/


NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review

In 2011 the NSW Government commissioned a review into the performance of health and medical research in NSW that would provide a ten year strategic plan for going forward. Released in June 2012, the review report and the Government’s response, place strong emphasis on translational pull through of prioritised research effort; knowledge led service innovation; and research capacity building. Recommendations to foster translation and innovation from research include development of an intellectual property framework for multiparty publicly funded research; supporting early stage venture capital through a pilot program to develop medical devices; establishment of a dedicated clinical trial support team and development of phase 1 clinical trial capabilities. The NSW Government supported the recommendations and provided a commitment of over $70 million over 4 years to support key initiatives in the report, including:

Provision of up to $5 million per annum for a Medical Devices Seeding Fund. Provision of $1 million annually for the establishment of the Research

Capacity Building Program to retain and attract new leading researchers to NSW.

Provision of $2.5 million in cash and $750,000 in kind over 5 years to partner with the National Health and Medical Research Council to establish a Partnership Centre in ‘Systems Perspectives on the Prevention of Lifestyle-Related Chronic Health problems’.

Development of a secure remote access population health data warehouse to facilitate data mining - ‘Secure Analytics for Population Health Research and Intelligence’ (SAPHRI).

Boosting the Medical Research Support Program, to bring funding to $37.3 million per annum to strengthen research capacity.

Website for further information:http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/omr/review/

Review of the NSW Government Procurement system

The NSW Government is reforming its system for procuring goods and services, with a discussion paper released in January 2012 and consultation concluded in May 2012. The process aims to deliver a new government procurement framework that is consistent with contemporary practice, delivers value for money and utilises procurement as a business enabler. Priorities include expanding opportunities for small and medium enterprises to supply goods and services to the government, and introducing greater innovation into procurement practices to stimulate a more vibrant economy.

Website for further information:http://haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/procurement


http://haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/procurement

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/omr/review/

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT

Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative

The Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative (VeRSI) is an eResearch program established in 2006 and funded by the Victorian Government to accelerate and coordinate the uptake of eResearch in universities, government departments and other research organisations.

In August 2011 the Victorian Government announced a further $2 million of funding to VeRSI to allow VeRSI’s membership to expand to include all eight Victorian universities as well as the Australian Synchrotron and the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries. VeRSI also engages widely with other State Research Organisations, Medical Research Institutes and Facilities, and infrastructure providers, such as VERNet, and with Victorian and Commonwealth government agencies.

VeRSI and its partners are delivering embedded technologies and adaptable models that foster multi-disciplinary collaboration, lower barriers, and encourage the development of cross-institutional services and platforms. The partners benefit directly from their involvement as early adopters of eResearch, while also aiding in the development of an enhanced state-wide research environment. These partnerships and activities act as exemplars of the ways in which eResearch can enhance collaboration and the sharing of research infrastructure and capabilities, thus enabling faster and more transformative research, and ultimately in reinforcing Victoria’s position as a knowledge-based economy.

Website for further information:http://versi.edu.au/

Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future

In October / November 2011, the Victorian Government released Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future (VTPF), a suite of integrated plans for biotechnology, information and communication technology (ICT) and small technologies. With VTPF, the Victorian Government is taking a new approach to supporting technology and reflecting a commitment to drive productivity growth in new ways. A total of $150 million has been committed to the VTPF to support the development of Victoria’s technology capabilities and facilitate technology-enabled innovation across the economy.

The $10 million VTPF Small Technologies plan supports Victorian businesses to take advantage of the opportunities offered by small technologies and the breakthroughs they are generating. One of the key programs of the plan is the continuation of the Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program (STIUP) which links industry partners seeking solutions with leading-edge providers of small technologies know-how.


http://versi.edu.au/

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/small-technologies/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-small-technologies

The $55 million VTPF Biotechnology plan promotes biotechnology-enabled innovation more broadly across Victorian industry. The plan covers two action areas:

o capability development – support to develop the necessary talent pool, capitalise on Victoria’s world-class R&D base, and pursue international trade and investment opportunities; and

o biotech-enabled innovation – focusing on demand-driven product development, uptake programs, demonstration projects and regulatory reform.

A key component of the biotechnology plan is a $15 million Health Market Validation Program (Health MVP) to encourage innovation in Victoria's healthcare system.

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/biotechnology/future-of-biotechnology/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-biotechnology

The $85 million VTPF ICT plan supports the continuing growth, development and global competitiveness of Victoria’s ICT sector and promotes ICT-enabled innovation across the economy, establishing targets for ICT skills development, investment and export and the development of ICT infrastructure in Victoria.

Website for further information:www.mmv.vic.gov.au/ICTIndustry

Health Market Validation Program

The Health Market Validation Program (Health MVP) is a key initiative of VTPF – Biotechnology. The $15 million competitive grants program encourages innovation in healthcare by leveraging the power of government as a customer. The Victorian Government is seeking solutions to healthcare challenges to achieve better health outcomes, improve healthcare service delivery and deliver economic benefits for Victoria. The Health MVP supports the pre-market development of innovative healthcare-related products, processes or services by Victorian SMEs, including biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics companies. It links those in the public health sector who have identified a need with innovative Victorian SMEs that can develop technology solutions.

The Health MVP builds on the Victorian Government’s Smart SMEs Market Validation Program, launched in 2009, and involves a three stage process, run in a single round, which opened in November 2011:

The first stage identifies the specific technology needs of health-focused Victorian public sector entities such as health services, hospitals or other


http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/ICTIndustry

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/biotechnology/future-of-biotechnology/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-biotechnology



http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/small-technologies/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-small-technologies

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/overview/small-technologies/victorias-technology-plan-for-the-future-small-technologies

healthcare providers. Public sector entities are invited to specify health problems that, if solved, are likely to result in significant improvement in the cost or delivery of healthcare services. During this stage, agencies can submit a Technology Requirement Specification (TRS) outlining the specific health problem and the anticipated benefits from addressing the need.

At the second stage, the Victorian Government will invite SMEs to propose new technology solutions to meet the need described in each TRS. This Call for Proposals stage is expected to be announced in mid-August 2012.

In stage three, SMEs that submit successful proposals to TRS will receive a grant of up to $100,000 to undertake a Feasibility Study, for up to 4 months. Successful Feasibility Studies may then be eligible for further funding of up to $1.5 million over two years in a Validation Stage to undertake R&D (including clinical trials) to progress the developed solution to market.

The program will provide innovative SMEs with opportunities to develop new health technology related products, processes or services to a point where they are ready for final-stage investment to reach the market. These purpose-developed technologies have the potential to deliver: improved healthcare, more productive healthcare service delivery (e.g. faster treatment times, reduced cost of treatment, reduced hospital stays), and economic benefit for Victoria through supporting SMEs to bring products to market.

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/hmvp

Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program

Small Technologies Industry Uptake Program (STIUP) was launched in October 2010 and is the flagship initiative in the Government’s VTPF — Small Technologies. Guidelines were amended in 2011 to promote an increased focus on projects, which promote uptake of technologies by firms, to increase their productivity.

The program provides vouchers which can be exchanged for access to Victorian small technologies facilities, goods, services, advice or expertise, allowing innovative companies to absorb new technologies. There are three voucher sizes:

The Small Technologies Feasibility Voucher (STFeas) (to a maximum value of $10,000) can be used for small fee-based services such as demonstration of coatings, preliminary testing, and consulting services to evaluate feasibility of micro and nano fabrication processes.

The Small Technologies Technical Voucher (STTech) (to a maximum value of $50,000) can be used for more substantial micro or nanotechnology based development activity such as assistance for small scale product prototyping, laboratory verification, field testing and fabrication of small technology demonstrators.

The Small Technologies Trial Voucher (STTrial) (to a maximum value of $250,000). These vouchers may be used to trial existing small technology based innovations which can improve the competitiveness of a firm / business or can improve services which are provided for the benefit of Victorians.


http://www.business.vic.gov.au/hmvp

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/small-technologies-industry-uptake-program/guidelines-for-small-technologies-industry-uptake-stiup

Victorian Technology Trade and International Partnering program

The Victorian Technology Trade and International Partnering program (TRIP) - biotechnology and small technology, is designed to facilitate international partnerships through attending international conferences, trade events and meetings with regulatory authorities.

TRIP has been developed by the Victorian Government to support the growth and internationalisation of Victorian biotechnology (including health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics) and small technology companies (micro and nanotechnology).

TRIP provides grant assistance for eligible Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas conferences, trade events and meetings with regulatory authorities. Grants are available up to a maximum of $10,000.

Website for further information:www.export.business.vic.gov.au/funding-and-assistance/the-science-and-technology-international-partnering-program

Digital Futures Fund

The Digital Futures Fund (DFF) was announced as part of VTPF –ICT. The DFF is a competitive grants program to stimulate business innovation through support for collaborative projects in the ICT sector and with other partners including:

supporting the development and trial of new ICT-enabled products, services and business models with significant commercial and export potential;

assisting businesses to use ICT to support business growth, improve competitiveness and productivity;

encourage ICT companies, researchers and end users to work together to use ICT to address specific problems or challenges; and

working with industry and education stakeholders to grow ICT research precincts across the State and to facilitate greater collaboration and international linkages.

The first funding round opened in March 2012 and involved two stages: Stage 1: Expression of Interest – closed mid-April 2012. Stage 2: Business plan development – closed early August 2012.

It is anticipated the outcomes of the first funding round will be announced in late 2012. Details about the second funding round will be posted on the website when available.

Website for further information:www.mmv.vic.gov.au/dff


http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/dff

http://www.export.business.vic.gov.au/funding-and-assistance/the-science-and-technology-international-partnering-program

http://www.export.business.vic.gov.au/funding-and-assistance/the-science-and-technology-international-partnering-program

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/small-technologies-industry-uptake-program/guidelines-for-small-technologies-industry-uptake-stiup



Broadband Enabled Innovation Program

The Broadband Enabled Innovation Program (BEIP) is a consolidation of various broadband effective use programs such as the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (CIIF) and Re-Innovate.

CIIF Round 1 was held in 2009 and provided project-based funding to support early adopters of new technologies such as web 2.0 to undertake collaborative projects that demonstrate new ways of working and solving problems. Twenty-two projects were funded in this round and are now being implemented.

The BEIP is a competitive grants program to accelerate the innovative use of the next generation of ICT by Victorian Government, business and community. BEIP builds capability for ICT-enabled innovation and generates models to support more widespread adoption of new technologies.

BEIP Round 1 focuses on “Applications in a high capacity broadband world” and supports the development of applications that are dependant on characteristics of high capacity broadband such as its ubiquitous nature and high bandwidth. Program funding of $5 million was made available for this round and 12 projects have been funded which will be implemented over the next 2 years.

BEIP Round 2 focuses on productivity with sub themes of regional Victoria, mobility and convergence. This round was launched in October 2011 and expressions of interest were due in November 2011. Successful projects will be announced mid 2012.

Website for further information:http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/beip

Investing in Manufacturing Technology

The 2012 Victorian State Budget allocated $24.8 million over four years to deliver the Investing in Manufacturing Technology (IMT) program, which promotes the growth, productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing businesses by stimulating investment in new technologies.

The program will offer three funding rounds per year. The first funding round was opened on 18 June 2012 and closed on 20 July 2012. The second funding round is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Under the IMT program, grants of up to $250,000 are available on a competitive basis, for businesses with a manufacturing presence in Victoria seeking to purchase and integrate new technologies that will:

improve productivity and competitiveness; strengthen capability; and encourage wider and ongoing innovation.

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/investing-manufacturing


http://www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/investing-manufacturing

http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/beip

Collaborative Networks Pilot Program

The new Collaborative Networks Pilot Program is one of a suite of programs under development designed to bring together industry and research to support innovation and fast track the uptake of new technologies. It arose in response to OECD evidence that Australian SMEs and researchers have low levels of collaboration, with significant long term detrimental impact on productivity and competitiveness.

The Government has allocated $1.5 million over the next two years to pilot a number of models aimed at improving collaboration, innovation and technology transfer. Negotiations are underway to finalise scope and deliverables, with an announcement anticipated in September 2012.

Website for further information:www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/collaborative-networks-pilot-program

Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing

Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) is a not-for-profit company established to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of advanced manufacturing businesses by giving them access to leading expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies to help refine and test ideas, develop prototypes and take Victorian products to the world.

The Victorian Government has provided funding of $1.1 million in 2012 for VCAMM to deliver a range of activities to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage research and development activities, and commercialise new technologies.

Originally formed as a collaboration between Monash University, CSIRO, Deakin University, La Trobe University and Swinburne University of Technology in 2002, VCAMM helps manufacturing firms access the Research community to develop new ideas, solve problems, find new markets and partners, incubate spin off companies and attract investment.

VCAMM has generated over $300 million in research activities for Victoria, (including the creation of two new CRC's) and created and incubated several start-up manufacturing enterprises now worth an estimated $100 million. VCAMM's activities have also created over 100 highly-skilled direct jobs and over 500 indirect jobs, funded over 20 PhD scholarships, and at any one time has over $20 million of projects underway.

VCAMM is a joint venture partner with Deakin University in the establishment of the Australian Carbon Fibre Research Facility (ACFRF), supported by the Victorian Government.

Website for further information:www.vcamm.com.au


http://www.vcamm.com.au/

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/collaborative-networks-pilot-program

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/industries/science-technology-and-innovation/programs/collaborative-networks-pilot-program

Industry Innovation Program - Supporting innovation links and collaboration

With support from the Victorian Government, the Industry Innovation Program (IIP) commenced operation in November 2011. IIP partners, Deakin University’s Geelong campus and Geelong’s leading industry body, the Geelong Manufacturing Council (GMC), aim to raise awareness and utilisation of the university’s research and its practical application to the manufacturing industry.

The program provides funding of $800,000 over four years for GMC to employ an Industry Innovation Manager (IIM) to work collaboratively with Deakin University and manufacturing businesses in the Geelong region. The IIM identifies, pursues and manages research partnerships between businesses and researchers which enable the practical application of research to improve manufacturing processes and practices.

Primary benefits of the program include: developing strong connections between industry and the University,

particularly the Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP); providing businesses with greater access to new research and technologies; enabling businesses to develop advanced capabilities needed to remain

sustainable and competitive; creating opportunities to apply research outcomes in practice; and providing the opportunity for businesses to expand markets through access to

Deakin University’s global industry linkages.

Benefits are yet to be realised as the program only commenced in November 2011. However, the program has already attracted substantial interest from local industry and the IIM is currently working with 10 companies on potential research partnership projects.

Public sector innovation

The Victorian Government recently established two strategic advisory committees: the Better Services Implementation Taskforce (BSIT), and the Victorian Information, Communication and Technologies Advisory Committee (VICTAC). The broad-based industry membership on both committees will ensure that government can take advantage of the innovations and lessons learned in other large enterprises, and from the ICT and services industry itself.

The Committee’s first tasks are to develop new government service and technology strategies which bring substantial benefits for citizens and the Victorian ICT industry, as well as for government itself. Strategies are due to be released for broader consultation toward the end of 2012.


The Victorian Government continues to leverage innovative social communications, tools and platforms to develop and provide a rich and diverse range of digital services, easily found at www.vic.gov.au/social-media.html and including recent releases:

MyShopRights app – provides instant advice on refund, warranty and lay-by rights.www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/myshoprights-app

FireReady apps – real time bushfire informationwww.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-and-incidents/cfa-on-your-mobile.htm

The Victorian Government data directory and top-level sites are being redeveloped and are scheduled for release in September and October 2012, respectively.


http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-and-incidents/cfa-on-your-mobile.htm

http://www.vic.gov.au/social-media.html

TASMANIA GOVERNMENT

The CSIRO’s Intelligent Sensing and Systems Laboratory and University of Tasmania’s Human Interface Technology Lab (update)

The Tasmanian Government’s Digital Futures Strategy aims to build the state’s ICT research capacity and capability. The Tasmanian Government has provided funding to CSIRO’s Intelligent Sensing and Systems Laboratory (ISSL) – previously the Tasmanian ICT Centre (TASICT Centre) and to the University of Tasmania’s Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab).

The project was jointly announced on 29 April 2011 by the Hon David O’Byrne MP, Tasmanian Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology and Senator Kim Carr, the then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The announcement outlined a $50 million package to commence in 2011/12. The Tasmanian Government contributed $5 million to the package. Within the ISSL, the Tasmanian Government’s focus is directed at the Sensing Tasmania (SenseT) program. The ISSL will provide sensor networking, data management and informatics support for SenseT. The Tasmanian Government has also provided funding of $450,000 to the HIT Lab for associated data visualisation of SenseT data to complement the ISSL’s work. SenseT outputs will initially be directed at Tasmanian agricultural and resource optimisation, and over time will be broadened to include wider economic, social and environmental decision-support capability for the state.

SenseT is set to drive economic, social and environmental benefits for Tasmania by providing for improved and informed decision-making on how to manage the state’s resources and the environment. The broad-scale sensor network will reinforce Tasmania’s reputation for innovation and collaboration. It will also highlight Tasmania’s strong environmental credentials.

SenseT will mesh together historical, spatial and real-time data from a state-wide sensor network and make this available to the community. While the use of sensors is not new, it is innovative to bring together different sensors into a single, large-scale sensor and knowledge management infrastructure. SenseT is one of the biggest coordinated, knowledge-infrastructure investments in Tasmania to date. It has the potential to induce a step change in innovation and productivity in the state’s economy.

Existing sensor networks can be federated into this single system, making it possible to achieve quick results. Tasmania will have ubiquitous deployment of optical fibre, wireless and satellite communications via the National Broadband Network (NBN) to achieve a cost-effective, broad-scale sensor network.

Websites for further information:http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/ICT-Centre/TasICTCentre.aspx

http://www.sensingtasmania.org.au/


http://www.sensingtasmania.org.au/

http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/ICT-Centre/TasICTCentre.aspx

Business Ready (new)

Business Ready is a new Tasmanian Government program which helps businesses overcome challenges to business growth. The program offers skill development and training in key areas of business development identified by small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as important to their business. The six key areas of the program are: Investment; People; Market; Energy; Digital Ready and Succession.

The delivery of the program is through online modules and, where necessary, coaching. Some elements of the program will be offered to businesses in regional areas, in particular industry sectors, while others will be offered to all businesses in Tasmania.

Training focuses on improving existing business systems (investment and people) and developing skills in new areas (energy and digital). The Digital Ready element is particularly relevant to innovation as it introduces businesses to the strengths of operating in the digital economy and the prospect of business growth from online engagement and capability uplift.

The objective of the training program is to support SMEs to acquire new skills, improve access to technology and to grow businesses through increasing employment, the number of outlets, products and, services and exports therefore contributing more to their communities and the economy.

The program is ongoing however the initial phase is for a two year period, from 1 October 2011 to 30 June 2013. Following this time the program will merge with other programs.

Website for further information:www.development.tas.gov.au

Business Tasmania Online (new)

Business Tasmania Online is a new project under the Tasmanian Government’s Economic Development Plan. It aims to improve the business operating environment by providing innovative information and streamlined services via a whole-of-government e-business platform. The platform facilitates business interactions with all three tiers of government through a single Web 2.0 service.

Business Tasmania Online will build on the Council of Australian Government initiatives to reduce red tape and streamline the national economy through the national Australian Business Names and Business Numbers (ABN/BN) project, the national Business Online Services (BOS) project, and the national Standard Business Reporting (SBR) project. The BOS project will deliver two key services that will be accessed via Business Tasmania Online, Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) and the Australian Business Account (ABA). Bundling the delivery of the ABLIS and the ABA services with a comprehensive range of business development services and tools will make it easier for Tasmanian businesses to secure services and tools to develop the skills and confidence for business growth.


http://www.development.tas.gov.au/

Strategically linked to the roll out of the National Broadband Network (NBN), Business Tasmania Online will allow business to utilise digital technology as an effective way of conducting business.

The Business Tasmania Online project’s duration is ten years, with the first initial phase of five years running from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2016.

Website for further information:www.development.tas.gov.au

The National Broadband Network (update)

Tasmania continues to lead Australia in access to the new digital economy through the Australian Government’s National Broadband Network (NBN) initiative. On 26 March 2012, NBN Co announced that it had awarded a $300 million contract to Visionstream Australia P/L (Visionstream) for the construction and rollout of the remaining 194 250 Tasmanian premises forming the NBN’s optical fibre footprint.

The NBN rollout is scheduled for completion in 2015, with Stage 1completed in June 2010 and Stage 2 scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2012. The Visionstream contract will complete the optical fibre implementation of the NBN in Tasmania by the end of 2015. At this time there will be optical fibre connections for just under 210 000 Tasmanian premises.

Fixed wireless broadband is scheduled for completion across Tasmania by the end of 2013, for some 50 000 premises. However, an interim satellite service is available now and two NBN Co satellites are scheduled for launch by 2015 to offer the NBN production service. Therefore Tasmania, along with the Northern Territory, will achieve 100 percent of its premises being NBN capable within three years - some six years ahead of any other state.

Website for further information:http://nbnco.com.au/

Collaboration Agreement between the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Innovation Research Centre (update)

A Collaboration Agreement has been formalised between the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (the department) and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Innovation Research Centre (AIRC) to measure digital economy engagement by small business and the impact of improved government online services in reducing ‘red tape’ and streamlining business compliance obligations. The collaborative agreement will provide the framework for all activity between the department and the AIRC and will conclude in December 2013.


http://nbnco.com.au/

http://www.development.tas.gov.au/

Tasmanian Government and University of Tasmania Partnership Agreement

The Partnership Agreement was updated in March 2012 focuses on collaboration on three priority areas (a) educational attainment, (b) research collaboration and (c) international education.

Cultural Tourism - Arts Tourism Strategy (update)

The Arts Tourism Strategy 2012-2015 (the Strategy) was released in May 2012 and is available online at: http://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/publications/arts

A part of the Strategy ‘smart map Tasmania’ is a searchable online database-driven map that profiles high quality, curated arts tourism products across the state. Based on responses from the circulation of over 1500 electronic surveys, Arts Tasmania’s industry development unit (arts@work) is currently evaluating the organisation’s website with a view to updating its design and launching a smart phone app.

The department is a partner organisation with the University of Tasmania, Queensland University of Technology, University of Melbourne, Glenorchy City Council, Hobart City Council and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in an Australian Research Council funded project entitled: “Creating the Bilbao Effect: MONA and the Social and Cultural Coordinates of Urban Regeneration Through Arts Tourism”.

Tasmanian Government Approach to Collaboration

The Tasmanian Government Approach to Collaboration project was officially launched by the former Premier, David Bartlett MP, in October 2010. The current Premier, Lara Giddings MP, has also endorsed the approach.

The aim of the project is to encourage a culture of collaboration across Government and provide a framework to assist agencies to work better together on complex policy and service-delivery issues. It collates information on the drivers, benefits and costs of collaboration and identifies critical factors for success, including leadership, trust and shared aims.

Developing and launching the project was a first step in improving collaboration across government. A range of both short and longer term implementation actions have been identified. These will aid the development of collaborative relationships.

Two pilot projects, of strategic priority to the Tasmanian Government, have been selected to test and evaluate the approach. The evaluation will focus on the collaborative process and the extent to which critical factors have been successfully implemented. This will demonstrate whether collaboration is functioning effectively. It will also highlight areas for further development and improvement across government.

Website for further information:http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/policy/collaboration_-_a_tasmanian_government_approach


http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/policy/collaboration_-_a_tasmanian_government_approach

http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/policy/collaboration_-_a_tasmanian_government_approach

http://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/publications/arts

Tasmanian Government Science Research Strategy – ‘Reaching Our Potential, Developing Tasmania’s Science Research Capability’

The Tasmanian Government Science Research Strategy – ‘Reaching Our Potential, Developing Tasmania’s Science Research Capability is in the final stages of development and was opened in late August for public comment. It is envisaged that it will be released towards the end of 2012 and that it will provide some key synergies of relevance to innovation and associated initiatives.

Digital Futures (update)

The next stage of the Digital Futures Strategy (DFS) runs from 2012 to 2015 and is aligned to the Tasmanian NBN roll-out. Phase II will build on progress to date and will also add a new element of investment attraction, given the certainty now attached to the NBN roll-out.

The DFS goal of the DFS is to leverage the NBN to create an innovative, sustainable and vibrant Tasmanian Digital Economy. The attached strategic drivers are:

leveraging the NBN based on the whole-of-state broadband access lead advantage for whole-of economy opportunities;

implementing Government 2.0 (Gov 2.0) for the government’s online services; and

incorporating ubiquitous broadband access into ‘Brand Tasmania’, to enhance the state’s liveability, clean and green, and quality produce brand attributes.

The specific strategic objectives are:

Objective 1 – increasing Tasmanian business participation in the digital economy and connectivity to the NBN.

Objective 2 – making it easier and simpler for Tasmanian businesses to transact and interact with government.

Objective 3 – improving the economic growth, productivity and environmental performance of the Tasmanian economy.

Objective 4 – leveraging the NBN to attract investment for local ICT, services and knowledge industries and for broader research across industry sectors.

Objective 5 – maximising ICT industry opportunity in the development of next-generation NBN-capable applications, services and technologies.

Digital Epicentre (new)

The department has developed a proposal for a Digital Epicentre, which will potentially support and grow creative industries business in Tasmania. The Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) is undertaking an alliance-building workshop in Tasmania during August 2012 to explore the feasibility of starting a ‘Tasmanian Creative Council’. This proposed new body would represent and advocate the interests of all creative enterprises and practitioners in Tasmania and thereby help position Tasmania as Australia’s creative centre.


Community Services Hubs

The Community Services Hubs bring together a range of complementary State Government services that provide access to information, learning, government transactions, and services for children and families in a friendly and welcoming setting. However the objective is more ambitious than co-location – both the build and the governance model are intended to embed collaborative approaches to service delivery.

The Hub concept includes a Child and Family Centre (CFC), a Learning and Information Network Centre (LINC), Service Tasmania and training provided by the Polytechnic, all accessed through a common entrance with the LINC providing library, adult education and online access. A range of flexible spaces and shared facilities are open to use by all services within the Hub, as well as visiting non-government organisations. This provides a unique opportunity for collaborative work. Service Tasmania provides a concierge and booking service; actively cross-promoting Hub activities and services and pursuing opportunities to collaborate in delivering services with partner agencies.

Work is currently underway to define areas for collaborative working, including child health and wellbeing, adult literacy, and improved customer service. The approach reflects the Tasmanian Government’s objectives under the Social Inclusion Strategy - to change the way government services are delivered and to build supportive local networks and connected communities.

Two centres are currently open. The Queenstown Hub opened in October 2011 and the centre at Bridgewater Business Tasmania Online opened in early 2012.

The Bridgewater centre includes a LINC and Service Tasmania with a Commonwealth funded CFC on-site. The LINC/Service Tasmania opened in April 2012 and the CFC opened in July 2012. While this facility is not a Hub, there is an expectation that the services at this centre will also work together collaboratively.

Planning is underway for the construction of the George Town Hub.


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

The establishment of the $200 million South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) will draw together more than 700 researchers in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built 25,000 square-metre facility, adjacent to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital (NRAH). Works on the facility commenced in February 2010 and are anticipated to be completed in late August 2013.

Backed by the support of the Federal and State Governments, as well as the three South Australian Universities and the South Australian Department of Health, SAHMRI will foster state, national and global collaborative partnerships. Following an extensive global search, Professor Steve Wesselingh was appointed as SAHMRI’s inaugural Executive Director in December 2010 and assumed the role in full time capacity on 4 October 2011.

SAHMRI’s research themes address some of the most pressing and critical problems that confront our health and wellbeing today. They are: Cancer, Nutrition and Metabolism, Infection and Immunity, Healthy Mothers, Babies and Children, Heart Disease, Mind and Brain. SAHMRI has embedded a special focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health into all of its research themes and activities. SAHMRI intends to become a world leader in scientific and translational medical research, and its Scientific Advisory Committee which includes 12 of Australia’s top health and medical scientists reflects this goal.

Artist’s impression of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). Image provided courtesy of SAHMRI.

Website for further information:http://www.sahmri.com/


http://www.sahmri.com/

The South Australian Aquatic Biosecurity Centre

In November 2011 the South Australian Aquatic Biosecurity Centre was opened at the Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Marine Innovation South Australia (MISA). This facility enhances Australia’s capacity to study aquatic pathogens and pests in a secure environment. The 2010 opening of the Veterinary College at the Roseworthy Campus also provides an excellent synergy of expertise and equipment for studying aquatic animals. This centre will contribute to both the security of Australia’s aquatic food supplies as well as Australian marine industries in general.

Website for further information: http://www.misa.net.au/news/sa_aquatic_biosecurity_centre_opens

Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

The Australian Federal Government, South Australian State Government, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Defence SA and the University of Adelaide have invested over $40 million to construct a new facility called 'The Braggs', which will house the University of Adelaide’s world-leading Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and other science teaching and research facilities. The facility which is due for completion by early 2013 will house a unique suite of trans-disciplinary laboratories and facilities in addition to offices to co-locate IPAS researchers and students from a broad range of scientific disciplines. In the new facility IPAS will enable researchers to develop revolutionary technologies that will bring benefits to health, the environment, food and wine production and defence using some of the most sophisticated fibre optical laboratories in the world.

Flinders University Tonsley Park expansion

Flinders University will establish a $129 million teaching and research facility at the Tonsley Park Redevelopment in which it will teach computer science, engineering and mathematics to undergraduate students while also undertaking an extensive range of research activities and business collaborations. The facility will house about 2000 students and 150 staff and is scheduled to be fully operational in 2015. In addition to teaching undergraduate students, an extensive range of research activities and business collaborations will be undertaken at the site through the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP), the Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology (CNST) and the Southern Knowledge Transfer Partnership (SKTP). The Tonsley Park facility will also underpin a further strengthening of the existing collaboration with TAFE SA - which is providing alternative pathways to Flinders for students - and will see both institutions playing a major role in the proposed Sustainable Industries Education Centre.

Sustainable Industries Education Centre

A $120 million Sustainable Industries Education Centre is being built at Tonsley Park by TAFE South Australia. The centre will specialise in training more than 8000 people a year – including plumbers, bricklayers, designers and carpenters – in


http://www.misa.net.au/news/sa_aquatic_biosecurity_centre_opens

emerging green technologies associated with the building and construction industry. Construction will be completed by the end of 2013 with the first students to start at the beginning of 2014. The new education centre, which is being built in collaboration with the State’s universities and industry, is designed to transform training in the building, construction and water industries. It will also open the way to incorporating more clean green technology into future building projects, and to improve links between green technology research and design in the State’s universities, education and training of workers. The proposed co-location of vocational and higher education with the industry sector will not only give industry ready access to cutting edge training facilities, but will also give students the opportunity to learn in close proximity to industry as they progress from basic skills training through to higher education.

Mining and Engineering Centre

The Mining and Engineering Centre is being built at the Regency Park campus of TAFE SA to support the growth of the mining, engineering, advanced manufacturing, transport and defence industries in South Australia. The new $38.3 million centre will become a centre of training excellence for the mining, and engineering industries. The Mining and Engineering Centre will consolidate and integrate programs previously delivered across the TAFE network, thus creating a training hub for industries. The facility will be able to cater for more than 3000 students per year and have around 80 staff. Construction of the Mining and Engineering Centre is scheduled for completion by late 2014. Construction discussions with the University of South Australia indicate student exchange and facilities sharing between TAFE and the University of South Australia will be achieved.

Skills for All

Skills for All is a South Australian Government initiative that is changing the way vocational education and training is funded in South Australia and will bring fundamental changes to the State’s training system in order to:

raise the skills level of South Australians; increase the number of South Australians with post school qualifications; and increase labour force participation.

Fundamental to the reforms will be a renewed partnership with industry underpinned by a strong commitment to training. The South Australian government, through Skills for All, has committed to working with industry to promote workforce development, maximise investment in training and encourage more people to gain skills through training over their working lives. The Skills in the Workplace program also will allow employers in key target industries to co-invest with government to up-skill employees at higher qualification levels and support workforce development. Selected priority courses with a strong STEM requirement are fully subsidised.


MEGA

MEGA is an entry level entrepreneurship program for the digital content and application industries in South Australia which has been running since 2006. It acts as a pathway to more advanced programs such as industry development programs, ANZATECH export programs, VET and higher education. MEGA provides practical skills in innovation and commercialisation, and a cross discipline methodology for team development. It has an extensive in-kind contribution by industry (leadership, presentations and mentoring) and cross sectoral collaboration. Participants form project teams and, guided by industry experts, develop and pitch new products and services to investors, buyers and business identities at a high profile Pitch Day. In 2011 there were 19 participants in seven teams who pitched at the Public Pitch Day.

A number of previous participating teams have achieved commercial outcomes.

Website for further information:http://www.mega.org.au/

The Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund

Commencing in 2008-09 the $30 million Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund (TTCF) is a collaboration involving South Australia’s three local universities, Monash University in Victoria and the University of Auckland and a capital provider – AustralianSuper. The parties have been brought together through the common goal of generating enhanced returns through investment in the commercial applications of research excellence. TTCF invests pre-seed, seed and venture capital into early stage commercial research projects and spinout companies generated by member universities across all sectors including life sciences, information and communications technology and engineering/cleantech.

Website for further information:http://ttcf.com.au/

Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub

A new $50 million Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub has been built at the University of South Australia's Mawson Lakes campus. The centrepiece of this hub - the Materials and Minerals (M2) Science Building was officially opened on 6 August 2012 and is one of the nation’s most advanced research facilities for materials and minerals science. It will be home to 120 research students and staff from Australia and countries around the globe and will be the setting for teaching and learning in the University’s new Bachelor of Science (Advanced Materials), as well as providing a place for a critical mass of research capability to industry. It is a key step in forging new university and industry collaborations and partnerships and attracting students, researchers and industry contribution to new technologies in health, engineering and manufacturing, mining and materials.


http://ttcf.com.au/

http://www.mega.org.au/

Medical Device Partnering Program

The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) supports the development of cutting-edge medical devices through unique collaborations between researchers, industry, end-users and government. The objective of the MDPP is to provide a streamlined approach to the product development process, from early stage concepts right through to manufactured products. The program facilitates the development of medical devices by coordinating the efforts of key stakeholders. It provides a mechanism for the development of prototypes, proof of concept and/or commercialisation planning for potential Australian medical device products. Professor Karen Reynolds, the MDPP leader at Flinders University, has recently been awarded the South Australian Scientist of the Year (2012) in recognition of the industry/university partnering model.

Website for further information:http://www.flinders.edu.au/mdpp/mdpp_home.cfm

Bio Innovation SA (BioSA)

In 2001, the State Government established BioSA to foster the growth of the South Australian bioscience industry. BioSA provides world-class infrastructure, high-level business advice and expertise, financial assistance, marketing and communication services to support the growth of the bioscience industry. The State Government-funded $12 million BioSA Business Incubator Building at the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct was established in 2008 to promote and accelerate the commercialisation of research and development in South Australia. This state-of-the-art, purpose-built building, provides modular office and laboratory space to accommodate early stage bioscience companies.

In the ten years since its inception BioSA has laid the foundations to grow the state’s knowledge-based economy by assisting the bioscience industry to diversify and more than double the number of employees and companies and treble the value of revenues and exports. Over 100 bioscience companies currently operate in SA, employing more than 1,700 people and generating about $250 million in revenue. The strength of BioSA has been in acting as a neutral broker and facilitator with effective networks in both the academic and private sectors. BioSA provides a catalyst function and delivers government policy where it is most valuable: connecting business and academia with dedicated programs that ultimately result in long-term employment and wide economic benefit driven by the private sector. BioSA also actively encourages networking, collaboration and employment opportunities in SA. For example, the Adelaide Integrated Bioscience Labs or AIB Labs, a network of laboratories providing specialised equipment to the national and international research community, which has grown significantly over the last 10 years. The network now comprises 18 facilities and over 60 staff.

Website for further information:http://www.bioinnovationsa.com.au/


http://www.bioinnovationsa.com.au/

http://www.flinders.edu.au/mdpp/mdpp_home.cfm

The BioSA Business Incubator. Photo Drew Lenman.


WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Rare Disease Strategy (Public Health)

The WA Department of Health has committed to the development of a Rare Disease Strategy, which has the objective of improving health and disability service planning for people living with rare disease (est. 140,000 Western Australians, 40,000 of which are children) by encouraging innovation and translation of new genomics knowledge, informatics and technology that improve treatment, management, and efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information

Landgate is an essential participant in the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI) and has a commitment to the program four years. The CRCSI is a joint venture of government, academic and private sector organisations using spatial technologies to solve complex problems of national significance.

The CRCSI consists of four major program areas covering a spectrum of spatial information. Landgate undertakes an active role in the CRCSI with its Chief Executive Officer holding a Board Committee member position on the Research Investment Committee as well as a board member position on program 3 – Spatial Infrastructure and the Research Investment Committee. A key position of the Program Leader is also held by a senior member of Landgate staff and a number of Landgate research projects have been funded through the CRCSI.

The benefits to Landgate and the State Government include: Intellectual Property access for commercialisation and internal business

improvement. Networking across the technical and business spectrum. Funding for R&D and business improvement. Access to experts in markets and technologies. R&D teams tailoring projects to business needs. Early awareness of emerging technologies. A brokerage service for public-private partnerships. Facilitated access to innovation, seed funding and venture capital.

Website for further information:www.crcsi.com.au

Fitzroy Communities Housing

The Department of Housing have collaborated with The University of Western Australia on a linkage project to build a total of three houses in the Kimberley Region (Fitzroy Communities) using the Rammed Earth construction methodology.

The rammed earth construction proposal will also incorporate some innovative features by using other compatible materials with the rammed earth to achieve the required Building Code of Australia (BCA) energy efficiency 6 star rating.


http://www.crcsi.com.au/

The Department is assisting the university by providing the technical expertise required in relation to the technical specifications and Building Code of Australia (BCA) compliance.

Construction of the three houses will incorporate the opportunity for employment and training (as Apprentices) for the local Indigenous youth.

Website for further information: www.housing.wa.gov.au

Contact: David Carpenter, Manager, Country Construction & Special Projects on (08) 92224817.

Collie Hub Project

The Collie Hub Project is examining onshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the south west of Western Australia. CCS will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industry by capturing the CO2 at source. It will then be transported by pipeline for injection into a geological formation deep underground, where it will remain indefinitely. Preliminary studies have identified the Lesueur formation, south of Perth, as the most likely location for CO2 storage.

In response to the worldwide challenge to reduce the climatic impact of anthropogenic CO2, Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is the lead agency in an innovative nation leading geo-sequestration project.

The project is currently in its preparation phase. Pre-competitive data from 100 kilometres of 2D seismic recording has been obtained and analysed. The project will now require a three kilometre deep exploratory well to be drilled early in 2012. A new 3D seismic program will be undertaken, followed by further exploratory wells, if the geological data from the exploration well supports the seismic data.

This project is a unique collaboration between State Government and industry partners – Alcoa of Australia, BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina, Griffin Energy, Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers, Verve Energy and Wesfarmers Premier Coal.

The Collie Hub is also working closely with its research partner, the Western Australia Energy Research Alliance (WAERA), which is a collaboration between the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and the CSIRO.

The Collie Hub is actively promoting community engagement through the establishment of the Lesueur Community Consultative Committee (LCCC) to act as a conduit to the wider community.

In June 2011 the project received $52 million in Federal Government funding from the CCS Flagship Program. The Flagship Program could provide a further $278 million in support for the Collie Hub.

Website for further information:http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/colliehub


http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/colliehub

http://www.housing.wa.gov.au/

Email: [email protected]

Western Australian Innovator of the Year Awards 2011

The Western Australian Innovator of the Year Awards Program was established in 2007 to support, promote and acknowledge the success of Western Australian innovators and entrepreneurs. The Program is administered by the Western Australian Department of Commerce.

In addition, corporate sponsorships from Mitsubishi Corporation, Woodside, iinet, AusIndustry and many other organisations offers the Awards program as a strong example of the collaborative working relationship between innovative industries and government.

The objectives of the Awards Program are to: raise awareness of innovation as a driver of economic and technological

change; maximise the commercialisation of ideas by building links between industry

and research; generate employment; and expand the export potential of the State; work collaboratively with industry, government and academia to foster an

environment of innovation and assist in its promotion; showcase Western Australia’s innovative capacity; and to assist in funding projects specific to the development and commercialisation

of innovation in Western Australia.

In 2011, three rounds of judging produced an overall Awards winner and one winner each from the Start-Up (pre-revenue) and Growth (post-revenue) categories. Two encouragement awards were also presented in the areas of Oil and Gas, and Superfast Broadband Applications. Prize packages of cash and tailored in-kind support have allowed more than 100 innovators to take their ideas through the commercialisation process since the Awards program began.

The 2012 Awards Program will be officially launched in April, with winners announced at a luncheon in November this year.

Website for further information:http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/scienceinnovation/Innovator/index.htm

Innovation Vouchers Program

The Innovation Vouchers Program (IVP) assists small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome some of the barriers that exist on the path to commercialisation. This program is run by the Western Australian Department of Commerce and was launched in November 2011. Under the program, eligible Western Australian-based SMEs have access to a financial boost of up to $20,000 that can be used towards engaging professional skills or services that will help businesses take an idea and turn it into a commercial reality.


http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/scienceinnovation/Innovator/index.htm


The major aim of the IVP is to enable SMEs to have access to, and establish collaborative relationships with, research providers and/or specialist commercialisation support services.

The objectives of the IVP are to support innovation initiatives that will: decrease the commercialisation gap; activate industry-government-research collaborations; and, increase R&D investment into Western Australia.

63 applications were received in the first round of the IVP, of which 58 were deemed eligible. Following the judging process, 12 vouchers were awarded. The second round of applications opened in February 2012.

Website for further information:http://innovation.wa.gov.au/Tools-and-resources/Innovation-Vouchers.aspx

Ignition program

The Ignition program was facilitated by Curtin University of Technology in November 2011 at the Innovation Centre WA, Technology Park Bentley, and was sponsored by the Western Australian Government through the Department of Commerce. Curtin has exclusive rights for five years to host the Ignition program, which is based on the successful Ignite program, managed and delivered by the University of Cambridge Judge Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning. Ignition is a five and a half day intensive program which aims to prepare innovators for the business world.

The program is available to individual inventors, academic researchers, business owners or innovators from the corporate or government sector. The program comprises a blend of educational teaching sessions, small group mentoring, expert one-to-one clinics and an opportunity to network with successful innovators and professional experts

Ignition was a great success with a total of 30 participants from 8 organisations taking part in the program.

More information can be accessed at www.business.curtin.edu.au/business/ignition

RD-CONNECT (Public Health)

The rarity and diversity of rare diseases pose specific challenges for healthcare provision and research, and for the development and marketing of therapies. Patients lack timely and accurate diagnosis and few receive tailored treatments influencing survival and quality of life. Rare diseases (RD) are a priority area for action in the EU Public Health Programme (2008-2013). The new International Rare Disease Research Consortium (IRDiRC) recognises that a global initiative is required to drive RD development and avoid duplication and has set the ambitious goal of diagnosing all RD and developing 200 new RD treatments by 2020.

RD-CONNECT is a large scale integrated platform connecting registries, biobanks and clinical bioinformatics for rare disease research. Advanced -


http://www.business.curtin.edu.au/business/ignition

http://innovation.wa.gov.au/Tools-and-resources/Innovation-Vouchers.aspx

omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, phenomics and proteomics offer widely recognised potential to find new genes, delineate biomarkers and identify therapeutic targets. To date, concrete achievements from these personalised and stratified medicinal approaches have been limited. The emerging interest of large pharma in the rare disease field is based on recognition of its promise and the favourable legislative and political environment for orphan drug development. Despite these incentives, the translation of orphan drug designations to marketing authorisations is low. The innovative RD-CONNECT platform is founded on a comprehensive understanding of the specific challenges in addressing -omics approaches to RD, in the knowledge that access to resources (networks and registries) and a close working relationship with patient groups are predictors of success for translational efforts in RD.

RARE-Bestpractice (Public Health)

RARE – Bestpractice aims to develop a sustainable networking platform, supporting the collection of standardised and validated data and exchange of knowledge and reliable information to improve clinical management of RDs patients.

Collaborative efforts are needed to tackle rare diseases to prevent significant morbidity, perinatal or early mortality, and/or a considerable reduction in an individual's quality of life or socio-economic potential.

The platform deals with RDs as a global health issue, exploiting and integrating contributions from EU member states and other world areas (eg, Europe, America, Oceania) and will identify opportunities to improve clinical practice.

Rare-Best practices will focus on:1. collection, evaluation and dissemination of existing best practices;2. an agreed methodology suitable to develop, update, and evaluate new best

practice guidelines;3. training activities targeted at key stakeholders to spread expertise and

knowledge; and4. providing a forum for exchanging information, sharing lessons learnt, and

facilitating collaborations.

The platform is established as an enabling knowledge web for health care providers, experts, patients, policy makers and best practice guideline developers with outcomes that support reduction of healthcare gaps among countries and improved clinical management of RD patients globally.

Landgate Joint Venture – Earthmine Australia

Earthmine Australia was an idea generated through Landgate’s innovation program developing into Landgate’s first joint business venture. Earthmine technology allows a complete process for 3D street level imagery; offering an end-to-end solution that combines information regarding what is seen on the street including bike lanes, water pipes and electricity lines, pot holes, shops and distance information with the view of the street, for developing applications and delivering visually impressive and spatially accurate results.


Following collaboration between key parties, a project was created to carry out research into the market and assess the suitability of the Earthmine technology against the needs and requirements of existing Landgate customers, potential new customers and the benefits it could bring to the State. The research was conducted in partnership with Geomatic Technologies Pty Ltd to explore data collection capabilities as a new market opportunity and enhance Landgate’s existing data collection, products and services.

In October 2009 a pilot project was carried out in conjunction with the City of Perth and it proved to be a cost effective solution to asset management. The capabilities of the technology were clear, and when shown to potential customers, initial reactions were confirmed.

Website for further information:www.earthmineaustralia.com

GeoMap.WA Software

The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) has disseminated regional geoscientific data for over 100 years. The release of GeoMap.WA, a new Geographical Information Systems (GIS) viewer for Windows, compliments a range of delivery methods for the distribution of this information.

GeoMap.WA harnesses leading-edge computer programming technologies to create a tool to provide improved access to a range of geological map and landscape information in a GIS.

This innovative desktop application is designed to create a customised view of geoscientific- resource and other government information on home, office or field computers. GeoMap.WA provides the ability to view data in a way that does not require specialised skills or costly computer systems.

GeoMap.WA provides three key innovative functions (1) on-the-fly re-projection (2) GPS connectivity (3) ability to join user defined database tables and files.

There were 592 downloads of the application within six weeks of release. A significant amount of interest was also shown at a demonstration to the Government Geologist Information Centre (GGIC) and the Queensland and Tasmanian Geological Surveys.

Website for further information and to download GeoMap.WA:http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/datacentre


Global Rare Disease Networks (Public Health)

The WA Department of Health has formalised partnerships with European Commission Directorate General of Health initiatives under Framework Program 7 (FP7)



http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/datacentre

http://www.earthmineaustralia.com/

HEALTH.2012.2.1.1-1-C: databases, biobanks and ‘clinical bio-informatics’ hub for rare diseases as a full partner and Australian lead agency in the RD-CONNECT, a large scale integrated platform connecting registries, biobanks and clinical bioinformatics for rare disease research;

HEALTH.2012.2.4.4-3: Best practice and knowledge sharing in the clinical management of rare diseases. FP7-HEALTH-2012- INNOVATION-1 as a full partner and the lead Australian Agency in the RARE-Bestpractices, a global platform for developing and sharing best practices for management of rare diseases;

Full partner and facilitating and coordination of Australian contribution to the International Rare Disease Research Consortium (IRDiRC) a Global consortium established to develop 200 new therapies and code most rare diseases by 2020.

Partner and lead agency for Australia of the ORHANET consortium of 38 Nations focussed on the epidemiology, clinical centres of excellence, improving care and reducing the burden of rare disease to health services;

A unique clinical trials centre for novel therapeutic interventions using exon skipping and related technology for the purposes of advancing personalised therapy;

ICORD, International Conferences on Rare Disease and Orphan Drugs, linking agencies involved in policy development and regulation.

The aim is to promote collaborative healthcare planning for the rare disease community and their stakeholders. Including 8 Centres of excellence from across Australia, linked to 25 international partners; RD-CONNECT, 36 International Partners; RARE-Bestpractice 23 key international collaborators; Three (3) International Consortia; Orpahnet, 37 collaborating Nations; IRDiRC, 22 international funding partners under a joint NIH and EU structure; and Human Variome Project.

Landgate Spatial Sciences Studio

Since 2007 Landgate and Curtin University, Perth have had an ongoing strategic alliance and partnership. The two parties agreed to a MOU to collaborate for the purpose of developing and promoting education and research in geographic information science, surveying and cartography in the spatial sciences field.

Landgate was instrumental in funding and developing a leading education facility at Curtin University known as the Landgate Spatial Sciences Studio. The key objectives of the collaboration are to:

Foster, develop and promote various educational initiatives in the spatial sciences field.

Improve education and employment opportunities for students in the spatial sciences field.

Develop and implement a strategy to encourage indigenous students to enrol in spatial sciences courses and offer a scholarship to indigenous students for this purpose.

Website for further information:www.landgate.wa.gov.au


http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/

Western Australian Public Sector Innovation Working Group

The Western Australian Public Sector Innovation Working Group (the Group) formed at the request of the State's Executive Coordinating Committee, includes representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture and Food WA, Premier and Cabinet, Mines and Petroleum, Landgate, Department of Transport the Public Sector Commission, Indigenous Affairs as well as Australia Post.

The Group is currently nearing the completion of a WA Public Sector Innovation Action Plan which aims to foster, develop and implement innovation in the public sector, ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.

Whilst developing the Action Plan the Group: delivered a highly successful Public Sector Innovation Workshop, held in

November 2011, which focused on public/private collaborations and included renowned speakers, active discussion, networking opportunities and information sharing, and knowledge exchange. In the lead up to the workshop the Department of Commerce engaged in a series of internet communications trials which ultimately allowed public sector employees based in regional areas to participate in the workshop via group teleconferencing;

is developing a group of ‘Innovation Champions' which is a group of specifically chosen public servants who meet to address and develop new and creative ways to foster greater innovation in their respective agencies; and

is developing an innovation portal on its Innovation Gateway website as a platform for public sector employees to discuss and generate innovation in the sector.

The Department of Commerce is completing a review of the State's Intellectual Property Policy.

Aboriginal Heritage Electronic Lodgements Program

The Western Australian State Government has embarked upon a major innovation to streamline its development approval process, in compliance with its statutory obligations with Aboriginal heritage and culture, through the development of the Aboriginal Heritage Electronic Lodgements Program (AHELP).

AHELP will provide heritage managements systems for: land use applications; new heritage site registration; compliance monitoring, investigation and case management; and administration.

Major benefits of the fully electronic, integrated online information management system include:

provision of stakeholders with a level of transparency and visibility to the heritage lodgement process by enabling tracking of applications during the review, recommendation and approvals stages of the process;

land-use applications;


elimination of the paper burden associated with decision making and committee and ministerial levels through real-time, online access to proposals to be considered for approval; and

vastly improved collaboration, communication and information sharing between government approval agencies.

Following a technology proof of concept funded by Microsoft in early 2011 the Western Australian Government has approved $3.54 million to design and build the system over the next 2-3 years.

WA Health Quality Incentive Program (Performance Activity & Quality)

The WA Health Quality Incentive Program (QuIP) aims to:1. improve the safety and quality of care that is provided across WA Health; and2. provide more community based services and minimise unnecessary hospital

admissions.

It does this by providing funding to encourage and recognise innovative work in these areas.

KPIs: 128 applications from frontline staff across WA Health

HealthTracks (Public Health)

The WA Department of Health, in collaboration with Curtin University through the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information, has established an online data portal with the objective of providing policy analysts and decision makers with timely access to reliable health, demographic and environmental data in an intuitive online application.

Reporting application had over 180 unique users and over 3500 reports generated between July and December 2011.

Landgate Innovation Program and Innovation out of a Box

Landgate has successfully incorporated innovation into the heart of its culture. Landgate created its internal Innovation Program in 2008, driven by the Board of Management.

To share Landgate’s successful innovation story and experiences with other government agencies, Landgate developed “Innovation out of a Box” concept. A website was launched in 2011 which gives a clear framework for establishing an innovation program and brings together the tools, techniques and Landgate’s experiences. The website outlines a simple step-by-step process from dreaming up what you want your innovation program to look like to ways to sustain momentum once launched.

Website for further information:www.landgate.wa.gov.au/innovation


http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/innovation

Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework

The WA Department of Local Government’s strategic goals are to increase the economic, social and structural viability of local governments, and to strengthen their capacity to meet community aspirations.

As communities change and respond to a range of economic, social, environmental and demographic factors, local governments must also adapt and change. They have stewardship of an increasingly large asset and resource base, and they are also recognising broader responsibilities for community wellbeing, for ‘place shaping’, and for planning and acting in collaboration with others.

At the same time, the role of the community in local government is also changing, with increasing community expectations for consultation, participation and engagement with local government planning processes.

The Department has developed an Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, designed to assist local governments to address these challenges, by helping them to plan strategically for the long-term sustainability of their communities.

The Framework provides tools and resources to assist local governments to develop their own:

Strategic Community Plan; Corporate Business Plan; Long Term Financial Plan; Asset Management Plan; and Workforce Plan.

During 2011, the Framework was implemented across all 138 WA local government authorities, through the following steps:

Publication of frameworks, guidelines, templates and best practice models. Training programs including Master Classes for local government staff

(conducted in association with Local Government Managers Australia) and Elected Member Workshops (conducted in association with the WA Local Government Association).

Introduction of new regulations under the Local Government Act 1995, which will require all local governments, by 30 June 2013, to develop a Strategic Community Plan that links community aspirations with the Council’s long term strategy, and a Corporate Business Plan that applies the Strategic Community Plan through the use of asset management, long term financial plans, workforce plans and other specific council strategies.

Development of a Performance Measurement Framework, that identifies baseline standards for strategic community plans, corporate business plans, long term financial plans, asset management plans and workforce plans, and that will encourage and measure a process of continuous improvement by individual local governments and across the sector as a whole.

Website for further information:http://integratedplanning.dlg.wa.gov.au/


http://integratedplanning.dlg.wa.gov.au/

Human Resources Capability Framework for the WA Public Sector

The Public Sector Commission (Commission) is committed to building the capacity of the Western Australian Public Sector and to maintaining a capable, adaptable and flexible workforce. The development of innovative, skilled and responsive government human resource professionals is a critical component in assisting agencies to respond to workforce challenges.

To build a professional and contemporary public sector human resource profession the Commission released the Human Resources Capability Framework for the WA Public Sector (Framework) in 2011. The Framework provides a whole of sector perspective on the capabilities for the HR function and supports the objectives of Strategic Directions for the Public Sector Workforce 2009-2014. The Framework identifies seven core capabilities, based on the AHRI Model of Excellence for HR practitioners and also complements the WA Public Sector Leadership Capability Profiles. Program assessment is based against these capabilities.

Foundations in Government Human Resources

Application of the Framework within agencies is achieved through the Foundations of Government Human Resources program (Program). The Program is contextualised for Western Australian Public Sector, provides contemporary theory and practice and is mapped to the PSP40104 Certificate IV in Government (with a HR focus).

A unique element of the Program and one in line with contemporary knowledge management is that the Program has been designed and delivered by practitioners from the sector. The Program comprises of six modules, workplace assessments and mentoring from senior practitioners. Completion of the program will assist practitioners to identify a career path and provides sign posts for further development. This program is the first in government across Australia and will be leveraged to building work for key occupational groups in WA.

Website for further information:http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/workforce/development/human-resource-practitioners/foundations-government-human-resources-program

Remote Areas Licensing Program

There are a range of issues and barriers facing people living in remote areas in their endeavours to obtain and retain a driver’s licence, including sustainability of licensing materials and accessibility of services. However, driving in these areas is an essential part of life as there are few alternatives available for travelling the often large distances required. Department of Transport (DoT) has also determined that there is an inequitable distribution of licensed driving instructors throughout the remote areas of the State. Furthermore, access to a suitably licensed driver to supervise learner drivers in remote areas also proves problematic.

In 2009, the DoT introduced Remote Areas Licensing Program (RALP). Through the experience and success of RALP, DoT has seen the benefits of taking licensing services ‘to the people’ through an outreach service. Although still in its infancy, this


http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/workforce/development/human-resource-practitioners/foundations-government-human-resources-program

http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/workforce/development/human-resource-practitioners/foundations-government-human-resources-program

http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Human%20Resources%20Capability%20Framework%20Booklet.pdf

http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Human%20Resources%20Capability%20Framework%20Booklet.pdf

model has seen a renewed focus on licensing in remote areas with many previously uninterested or ineligible applicants progressing to obtaining a learner’s permit or provisional driver’s license. In 2012, the DoT is seeking to build on the success of RALP by implementing outreach program that will establish regular licensing services to remote Aboriginal communities in the West and East Kimberley, the Pilbara, and the Goldfields, which is a multi-faceted approach to addressing licensing issues within the remote areas of Western Australia.

The WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner recently approved this program for inclusion in the 2012 CEO Substantive Equality Summary, as an example of a best practice Substantive Equality in action.

Funding has now been approved and the program will be formally deployed over the six to twelve months. It is planned to undertake an initial evolution of the program during this time and submit this as a formal case study for the 2012 Innovation Report.

Aboriginal innovation schools

The Western Australian Education Department developed the Aboriginal Innovation Schools strategy in late 2011 to support a small number of select schools to develop and share innovative practice in 2012 to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students. The strategy aims to provide increased flexibility for the schools, support schools to improve local community engagement and to take ownership for developing innovative ideas and new approaches that suit their context and needs.

At the core of the strategy is the understanding that for significant progress to be made, concerted action needs to be taken at the school, family, community and interagency levels simultaneously. The power of the strategy is in mobilising local initiative rather than requiring schools to implement centrally based programs.

In 2012, schools are being supported by Coordinators of Extended Services. Their role is to broker and coordinate strategic, sustainable partnerships with a range of local, community, regional and state agencies, businesses and associations. These partnerships will provide a range of services to individual school communities in order to improve the learning and life choices of Aboriginal students.

Effectiveness of selected strategies will be monitored for their impact on improvement in Aboriginal student outcomes. Contracts have been awarded initially for one year, with extension possible for 2013.

Independent publics schools

The Independent Public Schools initiative honours the Western Australian Government’s key election commitment to empower schools by handing over greater control and reducing bureaucracy across the public school system. Schools participating in the initiative are afforded greater autonomy, the flexibility to set their own directions, and greater authority in day-to-day decision making.


Participating schools which remain part of the public school system and operating within relevant legislation and industrial agreements, have the option of adopting a number of flexibilities in areas previously managed by central office. Significant authority and accountability is placed at the local level in the areas of financial management, curriculum, student support, recruitment and selection of all staff, and the management and maintenance of buildings and facilities. The quality and success of the initiative is assured by the selection process, which is based on school choice and readiness.

Schools select a range of flexibilities that best meet the needs of their own communities. School leaders and registrars/business managers attend an extensive Transition and Training Program so that they are well prepared for the responsibilities that go with increased autonomy. Training is offered to members of School Boards so they also understand their roles and responsibilities in an Independent Public School. Independent Public Schools are also supported by the School Innovation and Reform Unit, which works collaboratively with all business units within the Department of Education to facilitate the embedding of the initiative.

Each IPS is signatory to a Delivery and Performance Agreement that defines the nature of its commitment over a three year period. An independent review of the school occurs in the final year of this agreement. The first 34 Independent Public Schools commenced in 2010; 64 commenced in 2011, and a further 73 commenced in 2012; bringing the total to 171. This represents around 40 percent of all public school staff and students.

Website for further information:http://www.det.wa.edu.au/independentpublicschools/detcms/portal/

AFS Logicwall

The Department of Housing is using the AFS Logicwall proprietary structural walling system as an alternative to traditional masonry construction at a mixed use high rise (49 Residential Apartments and two Commercial Tenancies) inner City development in Fitzgerald St, Northbridge Perth.

The construction system consists of light weight sandwich panels (permanent formwork) created by bonding hard-wearing fibre cement sheets to galvanised steel stud frames. The formwork is then core filled with concrete on site to achieve load bearing walls that meet performance requirements for fire, sound and seismic load capacity set by the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

Website for further information:www.housing.wa.gov.au

Contact: Warren Cowper Manager, Metropolitan Construction on (08) 92224800.



http://www.det.wa.edu.au/independentpublicschools/detcms/portal/

Structural Insulated Panel System pilot projects

The Department of Housing have undertaken two pilot housing projects using the Structured Insulated Panels (SIP’s) as an alternative to traditional masonry construction on two group housing projects within the metropolitan area. The two group housing projects comprised of Family and Singles accommodation and included both single and two-storey construction.

The SIP’s system consists of light weight plantation timber panels with insulating foam middle core sandwiched between the timber panels. The SIP’s system has been imported from the United States where it has been widely used for some 40 years but relatively unknown to the Australasian market. The SIP’s system offers a number of benefits in areas of energy efficiency, cost, reduced construction durations, acoustic, fire, termite resistant, and earthquake and cyclonic conditions. The SIP’s system is used to build floors, walls, ceilings and roofs. No timber framing is necessary as a standard panel is engineered to build to three-storey construction.

The Department in collaboration with manufacturers R-Control Australasia and building contractor Julian Waters Housing Group (JWH) built the housing projects, both successfully completed in late 2011, with all dwellings achieving an energy efficiency rating of seven stars exceeding the current requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).


Contact: Lesley Richardson Senior Project Manager on (08) 92224803.

2012 Property Council of Australia Awards for Innovation & Excellence

The Department of Housing has entered two residential developments as entries under the “Best Residential Development” as well as the Award for Government Leadership category.

Stella Orion Apartments, Success Perth

The Department utilised an innovative system of construction for one of its award-winning Stimulus developments that was completed in March 2011.

The Stella Orion Apartments in Success (16kms south of Perth’s CBD) was built using the Architectural Framing system (AFS) wall and suspended concrete slab system of construction. The project used AFS modular panels made by Trustruct. The reinforced panels are composite which are filled with concrete once they are in place. Custom-made to size, they have the advantage of also being the finished wall internally & externally without needing further plastering. As it is also a modular system, there is close to zero errors in measurement. The system offers huge structural capacity and can be designed to satisfy earthquake and cyclonic conditions.

The AFS system provides a number of advantages during the construction process. For Example:



Massive reduction in waste sent to landfill – all materials delivered to site stay on site except for the packaging. During the entire project there were only three 4m3 bins on site.

Major reductions in cranage – the entire project was constructed using only mobile cranes the largest crane required was 50 tonne – total hours of crane time on the project were 52 hours.

The use of the AFS Logicwall system resulted in the elimination of “wet trades”, saving all the associated logistics and waste and also reduced the number of workers on the site.

Signal Terrace in Cockburn Central, Perth

The Department of Housing’s development at Signal Terrace in Cockburn Central is an example of a number of outstanding achievements in design, energy efficiency, landscaping and the incorporation of universal and adaptable design elements across a significant number of units. The development is also believed to be the second multi storey residential building in Western Australia to be linked to the National Broadband Network.

Funding through the Commonwealth’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, the development spans five buildings and consists of 67 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom residential units, as well as six commercial units. All 130 residential units of the development have achieved a six-star energy efficiency rating based on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (Nathers). The achievement is believed to be the first of its kind in Western Australia on this scale, making the development one of the largest six-star energy rated buildings in the State. Such a high energy rating is the result of orientation, insulation, glazing, and other features that contribute towards low energy costs in usage.

The development is also being constructed to high universal and adaptable design standards. All 130 residential units feature universal design elements and approximately 70 percent of the units will feature adaptable design elements. Universal and adaptable design elements mean that units have special features that allow improved access to those with restricted mobility (including wheelchair access), as well as being easily adapted in the future when life circumstances change.

Unique landscaping is also a feature of the development. An internal courtyard will showcase a number of trees which are actually planted in the basement below. The unique approach to landscaping was one of the highlights of the landscaping proposal submitted.


Contact: Laurie McGill Manager, Complex Projects on (08) 92228139.

Approvals reform for the Resources Sector

As a lead agency, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has responsibility for overseeing the application approval process for major mining and petroleum projects, including liaising with other agencies where required. The Department has



been making good progress in its approvals system reform to improve the efficiency of the approvals processes.

As a direct response to feedback about the efficiency of the mining and petroleum approvals processes, DMP sought to implement improved processes and IT systems to improve the customer experience. Applications were processed through a number of government agencies, causing the reporting of timelines to be uncertain, which impacts on investment attractiveness for Western Australia.

The approvals automation initiative was built on existing systems, linking systems using messaging, to provide applicants with an integrated, end-to-end view of their applications. Existing systems were enhanced to provide industry with the ability to lodge, pay for and track applications online.

There are common services used by the core business systems for payments, security and integration with document and records management. Lean project management created a strong emphasis on removing waste from the development process and optimising the delivery approach. Consistent with agile software development principles, DMP fixed its budget and timeframes, negotiated priorities and as a result, released new functionality to the industry every few weeks across all systems.

By better equipping DMP and other agencies to adhere to timelines, the program has improved public service delivery. Not only has approvals reform increased DMP staff and industry customers efficiency, it has also increased understanding of the internal and inter-governmental approval processes.

A performance portal was developed to enable management to obtain statistics, identify delays and troubleshoot them to further improve processes. The percentage of applications received via online lodgement has increased consistently since the introduction of online lodgement facilities for key approval types. Average timelines for finalising online lodged applications is consistently lower than those lodged via traditional paper-based methods. These improvements have enhanced the State’s reputation as an attractive place to invest, through transparent and accountable processes.

Website for further information:http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/861.aspx


The Partnership Forum

Improving services and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the Western Australian community is a major priority of the Western Australian Government. The Government has identified that in order to meet the complex and changing needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged Western Australians, innovative ways of delivering human services tailored to individuals’ needs are required.

In order to give effect to this policy direction, the Premier established the Partnership Forum in 2010. The Forum acts as a focal point for building and maintaining the relationship between the public and not-for-profit community sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation in policy, planning and service delivery. It achieves this



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through bringing together senior representatives from State Government agencies as well as the not-for-profit community sector to address issues of mutual concern. Members are appointed by the Premier. They, in turn, report back to the Premier through their Chair, currently Professor Peter Shergold, on a six monthly basis.

The Forum has adopted a set of Partnership Principles and Behaviours, including: a commitment to improve social, cultural and economic outcomes for the

Western Australian community; a collaborative approach to decision making and working together recognising

the interdependence in the delivery of community services; and a commitment to empowering service users in the design, planning and

delivery of community services.

These principles engender a focus on community consultation on all significant issues and the engagement of citizens in the ongoing design, planning and delivery of human services. The Forum has served as a successful forum for addressing issues of mutual concern to both sectors, championing such projects as the Social Innovation Grants Program, the sustainable funding and contracting reforms with the not-for-profit sector, and Self Directed Services Design.

Website for further information:www.partnershipforum.dpc.wa.gov.au

Social Innovation Grants Program

This Social Innovation Grants (SIGs) Program is overseen by the Western Australian joint public and not-for-profit sector Partnership Forum and is aimed at supporting and fostering greater innovation in the delivery of human services in WA. It provides grants to community sector organisations for new and innovative ways of delivering services. The Government allocated $2 million in 2010-11 with $4 million per annum thereafter to fund this initiative.

Grant recipients for round two were announced on 15 December 2011. Applications for round three have closed, and applications for round four are now open on the Department for Communities website.

Website for further information:http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/grantsandfunding/Grants/SocialInnovation/Pages/default.aspx

Funding and contracting reforms

Additional funding of $600 million over four years was provided in the 2011-12 WA State Budget to support a sustainable not-for-profit sector and ensure that government pays a fair and appropriate price for the services it purchases from the not-for-profit sector. This will enable organisations to improve the quality and sustainability of services they provide to the Western Australian community. This funding will assist not-for-profit community sector organisations to improve wages and conditions for employees and attract and retain appropriately skilled staff.


http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/grantsandfunding/Grants/SocialInnovation/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/grantsandfunding/Grants/SocialInnovation/Pages/default.aspx

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Funding is being distributed in two tranches: Component I – a 15 percent across-the-board price adjustment on all eligible

not-for-profit community service contracts from 1 July 2011; and Component II – a second funding injection equivalent to an average increase

of 10 percent across eligible contracts linked to key contracting reforms in the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy. This funding will be available from 1 July 2013.

The Partnership Forum also oversees the implementation of the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy. The Policy has been effective since July 2011 and was developed jointly by the public and not-for-profit community sectors. It is intended to ensure that the not-for-profit community sector can be more flexible and responsive in the way it provides care. This includes less onerous and cumbersome reporting requirements and standardising contracting practices across government agencies.


My Life, My Way’ – Self Directed Services Design

The Western Australian joint public and not-for-profit sector Partnership Forum is progressing the development and dissemination of approaches to self-directed service design. Self-directed service design affords greater choice and opportunities for individuals, families and communities to have a significant say in how services are designed and delivered, which is a break from the historical model of service provision.





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