An Australian Government public information and community engagement campaign will support the National Innovation and Science Agenda and help transform Australia’s economy and drive prosperity and competitiveness.
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said the agenda will drive an ideas boom in Australia that will be supported by innovation and deliver the next age of economy prosperity.
“Australia needs to grasp new ideas in innovation and science, identify and capitalise on new opportunities and create new sources of growth to secure our nation’s future,” Mr Pyne said.
“The agenda heralds a critical and exciting time for the Australian economy. Its measures support innovative businesses, boost private investment in research commercialisation, fund critical research infrastructure and STEM skills and increase access to capital for high potential startups.”
He said the campaign is an important measure of the agenda designed to not only raise awareness but drive a culture change to embrace risk-taking and entrepreneurship that is so essential to achieving an innovative country.
“Culture is one of the agenda’s four pillars because Australia must make the cultural shift to being a nation that is more inclined to take a chance on its ideas,” Mr Pyne said.
“Research carried out for my department shows that less than 5 per cent of Australians think we are global leaders in innovation despite home-grown developments like the Cochlear Implant and WiFi that have reshaped our world.
“The research shows businesses in general can identify more reasons to not innovate than to innovate. The campaign will encourage businesses to overcome this natural resistance.”
The research showed:
- 64 per cent of Australians agree we need to take more risks to get innovative
- 77 per cent of Australians believe innovation is not just for the technology industry
- Advances in health are viewed as the most important reason for Australia to innovate, followed by jobs and better living standards
And it shows a need to ‘open the eyes’ of students and parents how science, technology, engineering and mathematics will open doors to new and different career opportunities into the future.
“This campaign, developed using the research, will be designed to help change the culture around innovation and science in our businesses and engage young people to help inspire our future entrepreneurs,” Mr Pyne said.
“It will also raise awareness across the board about grants and new capital raising measures to any Australian wanting to take a risk on a new business venture.”
