ARCHIVE - The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP was the former Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. The following media release was issued during his term as Minister. A new Government was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007, including the following Ministerial appointments:
Senator the Hon Kim Carr - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP - Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation.
For media releases from the current term of Government, please visit http://minister.innovation.gov.au
Media Release
The Hon Ian Macfarlane, MP
8 May 2007
Small businesses will be more innovative and more competitive with help from the Australian Government's new Intermediary Access Programme, announced on 1 May 2007 by Prime Minister John Howard and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane in the Government's Industry Statement.
"The $20.1 million Intermediary Access Programme will connect small businesses with public researchers and other businesses to help them acquire the knowledge and technology to be more internationally competitive," Mr Macfarlane said.
Intermediaries are trusted third parties who help small businesses to find and use new knowledge and technology to strengthen their business.
"The programme will open doors for small business.
"This initiative stems from my Industry Statement consultations and builds on the $4 million pilot programme I announced earlier this year.
Media contact: Claire Wilkinson 02 6277 7580 0419 840452
"Innovation and collaboration are key drivers of economic growth, encouraging investment and improving international competitiveness.
"By assisting firms via intermediaries, the Government is ensuring small business has the knowledge, tools and networks to compete on the world stage," Mr Macfarlane said.
The programme will provide support for up to 150 Australian small businesses each year.
For more information refer to the fact sheet at www.industry.gov.au
Supporting Information
Why is this important?
- The ABS Innovation in Australian Businesses report 2006 showed a strong correlation between collaboration and innovative firms. However, growing our small to medium enterprises (SMEs) through linkages with other firms or with public sector research is consistently identified as a weakness in Australia's innovation system. This programme responds to that need.
- By connecting SMEs with researchers, other SMEs, and large companies through an independent third party, this programme provides a cost-effective means of overcoming cultural and resource barriers faced by Australian SMEs. It will help them acquire the technology and knowledge to be internationally competitive.
- This proposal will allow the scaling up of the current Intermediary Access Programme which supports two intermediary service providers - Techfast and InnovationXchange.
Who will benefit?
- This programme will provide national support for up to 150 Australian SMEs each year who are seeking to be more competitive and successful through the acquisition of new knowledge, intellectual property or technology.
- The programme will also support the development of the intermediary services industry in Australia.
- Public sector researchers and international companies who collaborate or partner with Australian SMEs will also benefit.
What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?
- The Government will provide $20.1 million over five years.
What have we done in the past?
- The Government originally supported two intermediary providers – the Australian Institute for Commercialisation's Techfast initiative and the InnovationXchange, through grants.
- The Government is providing support of up to $4.0 million in 2007 to allow these providers to assist more than 50 SMEs.
When will the initiative conclude?
- Funding will conclude on 30 June 2012.