Group of Eight Urge Government to Make Haste Regarding Innovations White Paper. (September 22, 2008)

The Chair of the Group of Eight, University of Western Australia vice-chancellor Alan Robson, has urged the federal government to respond, as a matter of priority, to the review of the National Innovation System by issuing its white paper.

In a remarkably strong statement following Saturday's (September 20) public feedback session at Parliament House on the Cutler review of the national innovation system where the forum was advised that an inter-departmental committee has been formed to develop a draft White Paper by end October, Professor Robson said:

The world’s current and emerging leaders in research are not waiting for Australia to catch up. Australia cannot afford to wait for the Bradley report on higher education before getting on with designing the policy architecture for a revitalised national innovation system.

We need clarity about the policy direction for research and research training, including a move towards funding the full costs of research. The research fabric is wearing thin and we are not commencing sufficient research students to supply future workforce needs. While we don’t expect specific expenditure commitments outside the Budget process we do need an indication that the Government will take steps to deliver on its pre-election undertakings in research and innovation to double Australia’s investment in R&D over time.

There is no point having a draft White Paper lying around for 3 months or more, waiting for another report primarily about teaching, when we know Australia’s investment in research talent and infrastructure is slipping behind week after week. The Government has purposefully integrated its responsibility for innovation, industry, science and research in a new portfolio. It is important to make that integration work for Australia’s benefit. Labor’s funding compacts are a vehicle for taking us forward, and the discussion must begin.

Matters relating to student access and the funding of teaching are complex enough in themselves and will require a proper focus after the Bradley report is received in December.