What's beyond the mining sector?
That's the question the federal government's upcoming innovation statement needs to answer as Malcolm Turnbull works on an economic agenda to take to the 2016 election.
Management of the economy is almost always rated the most important issue for voters at elections.
The Australian economy is shifting as the investment phase of the lucrative mining boom winds down, commodity prices soften and the tourism sector ponders its future.
New drivers of growth are needed to find jobs for our children and grandchildren.
With this is mind, Turnbull and his innovation minister Christopher Pyne on Monday will outline the ambitiously titled National Innovation and Science Agenda.
The idea is to support entrepreneurs and `innovative' businesses, link researchers and industry and take the best ideas to the world.
The industry department's chief economist Mark Cully this week pointed to what might be on the cards.
"Enabling services" will be the key to the country's prosperity beyond the mining boom, he wrote in an Australian Industry Report.
One example involves a company bottling fruit juice.
The company obviously requires fruit, bottles and packaging.
But less obvious are the marketing services, financial and legal advice, logistical support, information and communications technology and utilities services (power, gas, water, waste) that go sit alongside its business.
Services is already a big part of the economy - the sector produced about 29 per cent of GDP ($465 billion) in 2014/15 and employed 3.1 million workers (just over a quarter of all jobs).
It also happens to be where the greatest proportion of research and development occurs.
Cully argues it could be a whole lot bigger.
There are huge benefits to be had in the adoption of new technology such as cloud computing, 3D printing, energy storage improvements, wireless sensor tags, space technologies, online outsourcing and automation.
And this is where the government comes in.
Business sees red tape, tax regimes and a lack of workplace flexibility as barriers to the freedom they need to innovate.
As Cully's report shows, regulation is viewed as adding to business costs and uncertainty. It wastes time and leads to delays in investment decisions.
Business groups will be watching the innovation statement closely to see if these issues will be addressed by the Turnbull government.
Apart from regulation, there is also room for modest incentives for "start-ups" - potentially the big businesses of the future - and the ability to crowd-source funding.
It's been suggested start-ups could benefit from rebates allowing firms to use "enabling services", such as lawyers and tax experts, so they start off on the right foot.
And, for start-ups that have an unsteady start, American-style Chapter 11 insolvency laws to "put recovery ahead of burial" could eventuate.
Institutions such as the CSIRO and universities also have a role to play in greater collaboration with the private sector.
Turnbull, who returned from the Paris climate talks this week, wants to link innovation with his government's renewed interest in cutting carbon emissions.
The prime minister cited the example of the University of NSW, which has developed photovoltaic technology expected to be used in more than half of the world's solar panels in coming years.
"We are leading the way and we will next week be presenting an innovation statement that will demonstrate to all Australians our commitment to a 21st century economy, built on innovation driving better jobs and stronger growth," Turnbull told parliament.
The political upside for the coalition is that Labor will be left saying "me too".
Leader Bill Shorten cited innovation as part of his platform upon taking the Labor leadership two years ago.
However, the opposition is likely to argue any changes - especially in the area of workplace and tax reforms - must be fair and don't leave people behind.
Shorten may find some allies among the state and territory leaders who will meet with Turnbull for the COAG in Sydney next week to begin what the prime minister calls a "new dialogue for economic reform".
It's Turnbull who is in driver's seat, with the mining sector in his rear-vision mirror.
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