Government moves to foster innovation

The Federal Government has finally released more detail on its much-awaited Innovation statement.

Government moves to foster innovationGovernment moves to foster innovation

Government moves to foster innovation

It calls on Australians to take part in a culture shift away from fear, to take risks and build entrepreneurship.

But some in industry remain wary, with the policy still weeks away from being released.

A robot with colour sensors and a mobile app that helps people in developing countries find clean-water sources.

They are just two of the inventions that went on display at a coding and innovation training day in Parliament House in Canberra.

For Canberra high-school student Lourine D'rozario, learning to code in high school is not just important, but fun.

 

"I think it's pretty important, because I personally enjoy it. And it's really nice seeing what you've coded come out like the other end, and you're really proud of it at the end of the day."

 

The future of technology and innovation is one the Government made a pledge to lay out, even before being sworn in back in September.

But while the detail of its plan for the sector is still uncertain, Innovation Minister Christopher Pyne has offered some insight.

 

"The whole purpose of the innovation and science agenda in December will be about creating the kind of structure in the Australian economy that encourages innovation, technology, research and development, commercialising research, talents and skills, the government as an exemplar, raising capital. All for the purpose of creating more jobs and more growth than we have already created."

 

There has been a rush to be included in that growth in the past few months.

And it has made some in the industry worried about getting over-excited.

The chief executive of the Sydney start-up Local Measure, Jonathan Barouch, says there is a need to be realistic ahead of a policy announcement.

 

"I think the word startup and innovation and disruption are being used interchangably in the media and by people in the community. And I think we risk misinterpreting what a startup or a what a true disruptive innovation is. I mean it's not the butcher or the baker or the florist, they're completely vital to the Australian economy, but those are small businesses."

 

Other business remain optimistic.

Venture Capital chief executive Yasser El-Ansary says he believes the Government will deliver much-needed policy reform.

 

"We don't just want more start-ups in Australia, we want more start-ups that then lead to high growth businesses that employ people and generate economic activity. To do that we need to deepen the pool of capital to fund those businesses."

 

Meanwhile, the Opposition is not holding back on how it would deliver innovation policy.

Leader Bill Shorten says it should be about accessibility.

 

"I'm very committed to making sure that not just some kids, at some schools, with some really switched on teachers, get to learn how to code in a primary school level, get to be exposed to the best possible science and mathematics teachers. I want every child in Australia to have that same opportunity."

 

The Government is set to release its innovation statement in early December.

 






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