Media Release
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
INNOVATION REVIEW TO BE CONSULTATIVE AND FORWARD LOOKING
Dr Terry Cutler, the head of the Government's independent review of Australia's National Innovation System has challenged businesses, researchers, academics and interested individuals to participate in its work by contributing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and expertise.
At the Australasian Industrial Research Group's annual conference Innovation through Technology – achieving outcomes, Dr Cutler argued that innovation was critical to Australia's future well-being and he emphasised the importance of widespread input into the Review's deliberations.
"In reviewing our innovation capabilities and preparedness we need to be forward-looking. It is not enough simply to ask how well things may be working now. We need to work to ensure sustainable communities and sustainable industries into the future.
"Across the entire community this means thinking strategically about the challenges looming over the horizon. This is why the Review is seeking the broadest possible input and it is why the Review will have a 10 year plus perspective," Dr Cutler said.
To encourage strategic thinking and to facilitate submissions, an issues paper is being released this week, canvassing key topics and posing a number of critical questions relating to innovation.
Dr Cutler also made the point that one of the first tasks of the Review would be to establish national priorities for innovation.
"Australia needs to know where we should focus our effort so we can marshal our capabilities to achieve desired outcomes.
"As a small country we cannot be a leader in everything – we need to set our priorities and apply our resources accordingly," Dr Cutler said.
The Innovation Review's key innovation questions are attached. For more information on the Review, visit www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview.
Media contact: Tricia Berman (02) 6213 7444
REVIEW OF AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM
KEY QUESTIONS
- “Can we imagine a better world? What don’t we know or fully understand yet?”
- “How do we solve the big challenges we face as a country, an industry or a community?”
- “Could we do everyday things better? Is there a better way to meet this need or to address that challenge?”
- “How do we get more people to use the best available tools and techniques, from anywhere around the world, in what they do?”
- “How do we make it easy for people to use tools or apply ideas in ways no one has yet envisaged?”
- “How do we educate and equip our people to be creative and innovative, life-long?”
- “As a relative small country, how do we Australians prioritise our innovation efforts to make the most of what we have or can do?”