Australia is “in danger of being left behind” as most other developed nations place R&D investment at the centre of their COVID-19 economic recoveries, UTS Innovation Council chair Professor Roy Green has warned.
By Roy Green Readers of @AuManufacturing will be familiar with John Howard’s prodigious contribution to public policy debate on the evolution of our national research and innovation system. His deep understanding of both the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of policy in this area was reflected in his recent book, Thinking in public: Australia’s missing…
By Roy Green For a while it looked like federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Economic Reform Roundtable would turn into a tax summit, such was the clamour to revisit missed opportunities. And we have an abundance of those in Australia. However, the intended focus on Australia’s lagging productivity performance has appropriately been retained in the current…
A new book published by the Acton Institute for Policy Research and Innovation confronts the persistent failure of successive Australian governments to deliver a coherent, long-term innovation policy. In Thinking in Public: Australia’s Missing Innovation Policy—Will it Ever Be Found?, author John H. Howard, a leading figure in Australian innovation and public policy circles for…
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries across the globe, Australian manufacturing faces a critical crossroads. To remain competitive in increasingly advanced global markets, Australian businesses must urgently adopt smart, high-tech solutions, writes Graeme Sheather. The emergence of AI as a dominant force is no longer a distant threat—it’s a present-day disruptor altering the foundation of…
Rewiring initiative set to “drive down power bills” Non-profit electrification advocate Rewiring Australia said that election result paves the way for meaningful commitments, such as the home battery subsidies made by Labor, to be implemented. The 30 per cent government subsidy, which is set to come in in July, “is good policy, which is going…
By John H Howard The Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) has been established to report on how a more strategic approach to R&D can boost economic growth and productivity. Expressly, SERD has been requested to examine the optimisation of existing R&D investments across all sectors and how to strengthen research-industry connections, support national priorities…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) New drone radio production line boosts defence capabilities in South Australia South Australia is set to enhance its role in national defence with a new drone radio communications production line, part of the DEF129 Uncrewed Aerial Systems project. This development…
By Roy Green This month my term as chair of the Port of Newcastle comes to an end. It’s been a time of transformational change for the world’s biggest coal export port, with an ambitious growth and diversification plan ready to weigh anchor. Despite this progress, it wasn’t all plain sailing, and nor will it…
By Roy Green, University of Technology Sydney Productivity is the greatest structural problem in our economy, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. He says there is “no higher priority for reform”. Announcing a A$900 million productivity fund to be shared with the states, the treasurer told a meeting of the Australian Business Economists on Wednesday Australia’s…