BUSINESS WELCOMES OPPOSITION'S INNOVATION PUSH
23 Sep 2004
On 23 September 2004, Senator Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, announced an initiative to encourage researchers to work with business and industry.
Industry association, Australian Business Limited and its independent think-tank, the Australian Business Foundation, welcomed the Opposition's announcements for greater research collaboration to boost Australian innovation. "The Smart Partnerships Initiative to place researchers into industry recognises that real innovation only happens when a bright idea is turned into an attractive product that customers worldwide actually buy," commented Narelle Kennedy, Chief Executive of the Australian Business Foundation.
"Too often innovation is equated just with science and research. We need more investment in programs that foster business innovation at the company level," she said.
ABL's General Manager Policy, Paul Orton, stressed the importance of tailoring innovation programs to SMEs. Arranging matches between SMEs and appropriate researchers will need to take into account that SMEs are time and resource-poor.
"Both this program and the Bridging the Gap initiative to boost Universities' exporting skills will stand a better chance of success with industry association facilitation.
"Everyday ABL helps enterprises successfully enter export markets and uses strategic alliances to bring disparate organisations together to access business opportunities not available to them individually", said Mr Orton.
Business looks forward to the release of comprehensive policies by all political parties that address the full range of industry capability building measures needed to tool Australia up for future economic and jobs growth.
