KEY POINTS
- Consistent with a whole of government approach to policy making, on business, science and research issues, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (the Department) maintains linkages with a number of other departments.
- For emissions trading, energy security, renewable energy, tourism marketing and infrastructure development issues - the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) are consulted on investment, technological and competition issues affecting the resources, energy and tourism industries.
- For policies affecting skills development, tertiary education, tertiary institution research infrastructure, vocational training and workplace relations – the Department works with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to ensure that industry interests are considered when setting priorities.
- On issues related to business investment and industrial development such as environmental impact statements, climate change and water security – the Department consults with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA).
- The Department also engages with DEWHA on science and research activities relevant to Australia’s long-term environmental security.
- The Department supports Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock, who works with DEWHA, RET, Geoscience Australia, Climate Change, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on a range of key scientific issues, in particular climate change, energy and water security. The Chief Scientist is a member of the Coordination Committee on Science and Technology (CCST), which comprises the heads of Australian Government Science Agencies, and senior representatives of departments with interests in research and innovation.
- The Department supports the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) which is the Australian Government's principal source of independent advice on issues in science, engineering and innovation and relevant aspects of education and training.
FACTS AND FIGURES
The Department maintains linkages with other departments, consistent with a whole of government approach to policy making, on business, science and research issues. The Department maintains important linkages with the RET on the development of the resources, energy and tourism industries.
The Department also has linkages with the DEEWR on education, skills development and vocational training in order to meet industry's needs for skilled labour. The Department is also committed to strengthening links between industry, research agencies and universities in order to promote innovation and to ensure Australia’s future capability for scientific and research activities. The Department also works with DEEWR in the area of workplace relations, to ensure that the industrial relations system is flexible and will foster productivity, innovation, cooperation and teamwork in businesses.
The Department works with DEWHA on aspects of environmental policy which impact on businesses and with the Department of Climate Change to promote opportunities for industry to provide solutions to the climate change problem through the development of green technologies.
The Department has links with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (DITRDLG). Efficient transport, energy and communications infrastructures are essential for industry productivity.
The Department supports Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock, in his engagement with a range of departments, the research and industry communities, learned societies and other governments, which enables comprehensive advice to the Australian Government on a wide range of scientific and technological issues of importance to Australia.
The Coordination Committee on Science and Technology (CCST) comprises the Chief Scientist, the heads of Australian Government Science Agencies, and senior representatives of departments with major interests in research, science, technology and innovation. CCST provides a whole-of-government coordination mechanism and also complements the work of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC).
The Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council is the Australian Government's principal source of independent advice on issues in science, engineering and innovation and relevant aspects of education and training. The Council includes a range of Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities and receives support from their departments in preparing information for consideration.
The Department has interests in the activities of a number of other departments. For example Treasury (business tax issues and general macroeconomic issues), the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (broadband infrastructure and information and communications technology industry development), Defence (the Joint Strike Fighter Program and the Defence Future Capability Technology Centre), the Department of Finance and Deregulation (deregulation issues of importance to business), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (trade agreements, trade policy and trade promotion), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (primary industries research and innovation) and the Department of Health and Ageing (medical research and the pharmaceuticals industry).