Winnovation Awards

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister update the chamber on the outcome of the recent Winnovation Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:40): I thank the honourable member for her question and her strong support for the role that women play in our society and our economy, which is something she has championed for all of her time in this place and all of her life. It was pleasing to have the opportunity to attend the 2017 Winnovation Awards, recognising some of our best and brightest South Australians—the Women in Innovation awards.

Innovation is vital to a prosperous and competitive future economy for our state. That is why it is so important that the skills and talents of as many South Australians as possible can be unlocked and nurtured. Because many science, technology, engineering and maths industries are still male dominated, promoting women not just to achieve in these areas but to aspire to careers across the innovation spectrum is critically important for our state.

It is not simply the case that women need and deserve to have equality of opportunity or that we need to do everything we can to promote that. Women bring immense value across the innovation spectrum. We need entrepreneurs and innovators with diverse perspectives and experiences, and indeed, those who reflect the diversity of people using their products and services. It is also important to recognise the value of people across our industries who are ready and willing to lead change, as traditional industries reinvent themselves and new sectors emerge. The Winnovation awardees are experts in change and are leading the state in this change.

Eleven of the state's most innovative women were recognised at the recent 2017 Winnovation Awards in Adelaide, highlighting the achievements of women in innovation across 11 categories, including science, technology, the arts, business and government. I want to congratulate a number of the winners on the night, and I was very fortunate to meet many of them at the Winnovation Awards ceremony. Elizabeth Donaldson from Brick and Mortar Creative received the arts award for her work in designing co-working studios and workshop space for creative businesses.

The emerging innovator award went to Michelle Perugini from Life Whisperer for providing decision support software to the fertility sector. Dr Melanie MacGregor was recognised with the engineering award. Dr MacGregor is from the University of South Australia and her work is in to delivering a device for the non-invasive diagnosis of bladder cancers.

The innovation and intrapreneurship in government award went to Dr Jennie Fluin from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources for her work in ensuring that natural resource management decision-making is underpinned by the best available knowledge and evidence. Marina Pullin received the maths and data award for her work in harnessing the global gig economy, from Adelaide. The rural regional and remote award went to Dr Kate Fennell from the University of South Australia for her work with rural Australians to develop solutions to health and mental health related problems via the internet.

Dr Caitlin Byrt won the science award for her efforts working on genes for improving crop productivity. The social impact award went to Louise Nobes from Inspired BUY, a social innovation organisation where young people's creative enterprises use the Inspired BUY organisation and become employees of part of the organisations that they are working through. Professor Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem from Optofab was awarded the technology award for the state-of-the-art glass science, fibre fabrication and 3D manufacturing research.

The women's initiative in business award went to Amy Orange from Harvest Fair, who is creating a new social enterprise that employs women as culinary creators to prepare ready-made meals. The open category went to Jane Schueler from TEA HQ for her brain fitness application. I congratulate all the 2017 Winnovation winners, and I congratulate all who have won over the last three years I have been attending these awards. They are shining examples of some of the best this state has to offer.