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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-23 Daily Xml
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BioSA Technology Achievement Award

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science and Information Economy a question about the recent BioSA technology achievement award.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I hear that the only father-and-son combination to win a Nobel Prize was William and Lawrence Bragg, who spent many years in Adelaide at the beginning of the 20th century and who undertook ground-breaking research into x-ray diffraction at the University of Adelaide. Can the minister inform the chamber about another recent father-and-son winner, who have continued on the same unique South Australian precedent?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. Indeed, the BioSA technology achievement award was announced earlier this month. The event was attended by interstate and overseas visitors who were also in Adelaide to attend the AusBio Tech Transfer Summit.

The BioSA awards recognise those in the community who have made an important contribution to the development of South Australia's technology industry. The award focuses on the commercial contributions recipients have made as well as recognising entrepreneurial talent, leadership, innovation and commercial success.

South Australia is well known for its technological advances in the world of reproductive health, and the 2014 BioSA award has been awarded to two really brilliant leaders in this field, Professor Colin Matthews and his son Mr Jonathan Matthews. Professor Matthews' contribution to reproductive technology is highly regarded and respected throughout the world. In addition, he assisted in setting up the legal framework for reproductive technology in South Australia and pioneered work in IVF, and he was a founding member of Repromed Pty Ltd, a university-owned, Adelaide-based IVF clinic.

Mr Jonathan Matthews is a business manager and executive director of the Pipette Company and a director of Reproductive Health Science Pty Ltd. He has been an integral part of growing both RHS, which has recently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and The Pipette Company, which over the last five years has experienced rapid growth in market share and exports. Both have used their talent, innovation, drive and expertise to not only develop medical services that help South Australian partners but to position our state as global leaders in health research.

Speaking to accept the award, Professor Matthews stated that each year now there are 1.74 to 1.8 million cycles of IVF performed across the world, so in total around 6 million babies have been born as a result of IVF; 6 million babies is astounding. With figures such as these, you can see why the South Australian state government places such importance on the emerging bioscience industry. Our commitment to the emerging bioscience industry is demonstrated by the announcement our Premier, Jay Weatherill, made a number of weeks ago when he announced three economic priorities that will directly inform the work of this government in science, innovation and health areas.

BioSA is also part of this really exciting story. Since 2001, BioSA has helped more than 75 companies set up in South Australia. The BioSA team is dedicated to providing high standard infrastructure, high level business advice and expertise, financial assistance, and marketing communication services to help support the growth of our thriving bioscience industry. The total number of bioscience companies now exceeds 100, and employers in the bioscience field have more than doubled and now are at around 1,700.

Across the South Australian government, a total of $170 million is provided to support research and development within this state. $8 million in new funding over four years has also been committed by the government to support investing in a science action plan. This plan provides strategic direction and practical actions for government, universities and also industry to work together to build skills, research and commercialisation capabilities in South Australia. We will develop STEM skills in young people, attract experienced researchers and invest in commercialisation to create exports and jobs.

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