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Coalition policy for innovation, industry, science & research
COALITION PLAN FOR REAL ACTION ON INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESEARCH
19 August 2010. For a full copy of the policy, email mgallaher@biomelbourne.org
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Coalition’s Plan for Real Action on Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will revitalise our national competitiveness, support our food industry, maintain our ability to supply essential materials to our defence forces and provide better links between government, business and research institutions. Labor has talked a lot about innovation, but it has done little to help Australian industry sustain long-term productivity improvements. Labor has commissioned multiple reviews, but has failed to take action in response to their recommendations. Labor has failed Australia’s manufacturing industry. Under its watch, more than 73,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost, and a string of manufacturing companies have either closed or scaled back their Australian operations. A stable economic environment provides the best conditions for innovation and industry to flourish. A strong and growing national economy that provides industries, scientists and researchers with long-term certainty, confidence and secure finance is inevitably a critical catalyst of innovative and productive activity. The Coalition’s plan to reduce the corporate tax rate to 28.5%, and our commitment to oppose Labor’s carbon tax and mining tax will provide significant benefits to Australian industry. Innovation is essential to Australia’s future prosperity. The Coalition embraces an innovative Australian future, underpinned by competitive industry, world leading science, and the smart application of research, technology and ideas. The Coalition’s Plan for Real Action on Innovation, Industry, Science and Research includes the following initiatives: 1. Improve the focus and effectiveness of TCF assistance 2. End waste in assistance to the automotive industry 3. Timeline for improved vehicle emission standards 4. Develop a national food and grocery agenda 5. Streamline industry assistance programmes 6. Review Australia’s anti-dumping scheme 7. Retain the existing R&D Tax Concession system 8. Re-focus Commercialisation Australia 9. Enhance Australia’s venture capital market 10. Support increased public awareness of Australian science 11. Introduce the International Science Initiative 12. Consider expanding the role of the Office of the Chief Scientist 13. Stop Labor’s ‘advocacy science’ 14. Expand the Research Training Scheme 15. Improve how innovation is measured
