SMART STATE CEMENTS ITS R&D PRIORITIES FOR A SMART FUTURE
Published Tuesday, 31 October, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Queensland’s new research and development priorities will help create the jobs of the future, improve lifestyle and create a safer sustainable environment for everyone.
Releasing Queensland’s new priorities and investment criteria today, Minister for State Development John Mickel said they would help guide future government funding for research and development to position the Smart State as a knowledge economy.
“The Queensland Government spends almost $60 on R&D for every man, woman and child in the State - that’s a major investment in the State’s future,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Smart State is second only to South Australia in terms of R&D support and we have invested more per person than the national average over the past decade.
“Our new priorities and investment criteria will ensure our research continues to focus on producing economic, social and environmental benefits for all Queenslanders.
“They are also aimed at boosting the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of our existing industries, such as agriculture and mining, and building critical mass in our new industries like biotechnology, ICT and nanotechnology.”
The new priorities cover six R&D areas: enabling sciences and technologies; environmentally sustainable Queensland; health and well-being; safeguarding Queensland; smart industries; and tropical opportunities.
The new R&D investment criteria will focus government funding on research and development that can:
1. identify economic, social and environmental outcomes that will benefit the State;
2. demonstrate technical and management expertise, and have access to infrastructure and capital; and
3. encourage collaboration and co-investment, build competitive strength and advance public understanding of research and development.
Mr Mickel said the new R&D Priorities and Investment Criteria for funding R&D should encourage more collaboration.
“These are a catalyst to encourage greater collaboration between research organisations, industry and government while strengthening the State’s R&D base,” he said.
Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews, who provided advice to the Government on the new priorities and investment criteria said they were crucial if Queensland wanted to capitalise on its investment in research.
“With a population of only four million, Queensland has to focus its investment in R&D on delivering outcomes in priority areas,” Professor Andrews said.
“That’s the only way to compete with other knowledge economies around the world.”
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Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Releasing Queensland’s new priorities and investment criteria today, Minister for State Development John Mickel said they would help guide future government funding for research and development to position the Smart State as a knowledge economy.
“The Queensland Government spends almost $60 on R&D for every man, woman and child in the State - that’s a major investment in the State’s future,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Smart State is second only to South Australia in terms of R&D support and we have invested more per person than the national average over the past decade.
“Our new priorities and investment criteria will ensure our research continues to focus on producing economic, social and environmental benefits for all Queenslanders.
“They are also aimed at boosting the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of our existing industries, such as agriculture and mining, and building critical mass in our new industries like biotechnology, ICT and nanotechnology.”
The new priorities cover six R&D areas: enabling sciences and technologies; environmentally sustainable Queensland; health and well-being; safeguarding Queensland; smart industries; and tropical opportunities.
The new R&D investment criteria will focus government funding on research and development that can:
1. identify economic, social and environmental outcomes that will benefit the State;
2. demonstrate technical and management expertise, and have access to infrastructure and capital; and
3. encourage collaboration and co-investment, build competitive strength and advance public understanding of research and development.
Mr Mickel said the new R&D Priorities and Investment Criteria for funding R&D should encourage more collaboration.
“These are a catalyst to encourage greater collaboration between research organisations, industry and government while strengthening the State’s R&D base,” he said.
Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews, who provided advice to the Government on the new priorities and investment criteria said they were crucial if Queensland wanted to capitalise on its investment in research.
“With a population of only four million, Queensland has to focus its investment in R&D on delivering outcomes in priority areas,” Professor Andrews said.
“That’s the only way to compete with other knowledge economies around the world.”
_______________________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.