Our Ministers have determined 10 strategic priorities. These priorities will be the areas of primary focus for the Department over this term of Government.
Implementation of commitments from the Government’s last term together with commitments made during the last election
Major implementation tasks for the Department include Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our future through Science and Innovation, the Tourism White Paper and post 2005 assistance arrangements for the automotive and textiles, clothing and footwear industries.
Securing Australia’s energy future
The Energy policy framework focuses on maintaining our competitive electricity and gas prices through energy market reform and improving energy efficiency; ensuring the security of energy supply; and reducing emissions through development of new technologies.
Capitalising on Australia’s resources
To enhance the resources sector’s contribution to the Australian economy the Department will work towards increasing the sector’s international competitiveness, expanding the resources base and improving the regulatory regime.
Measurable reduction in compliance burden
The Department will pursue regulatory reform on a whole-of-government basis to provide a measurably simpler and less costly business environment. We are also committed to the development and implementation of the Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund.
Commercialisation, collaboration, and investment in innovation
As part of the Government’s Innovation policy agenda the Department will promote development of frontier technologies and sectors (including biotechnology, nanotechnology and medical devices), develop a better understanding of the linkage between innovation and growth, stimulate collaboration, improve data collection and analysis and seek to maximise the return on public sector investment in research and innovation.
A sustainable pharmaceuticals industry for the future
The Department will contribute to the development of a more sustainable Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We will achieve increased pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry growth through implementation of existing programs and development of new policy initiatives.
Venture capital
The Department will provide secretariat support to the Government’s announced Review of the Australian Venture Capital system. We will also review the Innovation Investment Fund program and the Pre-Seed Fund. We will have a key role in considering recommendations arising from these reviews.
Skills development to meet business needs
Working with the Department of Education, Science and Training and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, we will increase industry influence over the skills formation process.
International engagement
The Department will assist in trade negotiations for free trade agreements with China, ASEAN, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. We will participate directly in the negotiations, engage in consultation with industry, and contribute to determining Australia's negotiating position.
Industry focus on whole-of-government issues
Some issues of critical importance to industry fall outside our direct policy responsibility. We will work to influence the policy agenda across a range of areas, including taxation, infrastructure, competition policy, and industrial relations. For example, we will contribute to policy development in respect of the COAG agenda, specifically in the response to the Prime Minister’s Taskforce Report on Infrastructure, and on regulatory reform. We will also participate in the COAG taskforce which will advance the Australian Government’s involvement in national competition policy and the microeconomic reform agenda.
Return to DITR Strategic Plan 2005-2008