Science Research and Innovation

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:03): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Science and Information Economy a question about investment in science research and innovation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I know that both of our ministers in this place have a background in the sciences and a strong commitment to advancing this state. Minister, will you outline some of the important initiatives that the government is undertaking to build prosperity and new jobs through increased investment in science research and innovation?

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) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Earlier this year the government released a major statement on science research and innovation called Investing in Science. Investing in Science accounts for a total of $170 million in funding per year to support science research collaboration and STEM skills. It also allocates an additional $8 million over four years in new funding to support the Premier's Research and Industry Fund.

The implementation of Investing in Science will be a key focus of the new Department of State Development which brings together for the first time industry development, skills, training, science, research and innovation and the research and innovation functions of government. As members would be aware, the government believes that increased investment in science research and innovation, underpinned by a strong science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills base, is fundamental to building the jobs and industries of the future. It is no accident that economies that are currently performing well, such as Germany, are those that have long established and well executed strategies to support scientific research, STEM skills development and innovation.

Innovation is crucial to South Australia if our economy is going to continue to prosper in an ever-changing and increasingly competitive market where firms cannot compete on price alone. Bringing together industry, our researchers and our universities is crucial to driving innovation, commercialisation and securing jobs for the future.

To assist in building an innovative economy, both nationally and here in South Australia, we have introduced, and will continue to introduce, a range of initiatives to help increase collaboration and co-investment between industry and research institutions. These include:

establishing a new student entrepreneurial initiative developed in partnership with the University of South Australia to support bright and innovative university students to establish new business ventures and commercialise technologies to assist in local industries;

investing $600,000 over four years to establish the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund here in South Australia to help commercialise research coming out of SAHMRI;

investing $750,000 over three years to expand Flinders University's Medical Device Partnering Program that looks at developing support for high-tech medical devices;

investing $200,000 in establishing the South Australian Renewable Energy Institute, which will provide a focus for collaborative research in areas such as low-cost batteries, solar thermal and fuel transformation;

increasing the number of South Australian research fellowships on offer, worth up to $1 million each over four years and designed to attract leading researchers;

investing $6 million over four years in a partnership with industry to create a Mining Petroleum Services Centre for Excellence; and

continuing to support cooperative research centres.

To continue to build our capacity to innovate and grow our advanced manufacturing sector, it is important that South Australia continues to have a rich pool of trained scientists, engineers and technology specialists.

Investing in Science is a bold initiative that will contribute, together with our other policies and programs including Manufacturing Works and Skills for All, to diversify our economic base and revitalise the South Australian economy. I am very proud to be part of a government that recognises the importance of science to our economy. The federal Liberal government abolished the science ministry, and in a climate of change it certainly would not surprise me if those opposite failed to grasp the importance of that change.

The Commission of Audit also has its sights on research and innovation. The report recommends, amongst other things, the abolition of the sector-specific research and development programs and consolidating existing research programs aimed at fostering collaboration. These changes may impact on the way industry and research sectors collaborate and go against what we are trying to do in terms of encouraging the Premier's Research and Industry Fund. South Australians can be assured that this Labor government will continue to focus very hard on this crucial policy area, even when the Liberals look to cut and slash and burn.