07 July 2016
The results of the 2016 Australian election are still to be determined, but one thing’s for certain, developing Australia’s future economy will require bipartisan commitment to sustain investment in commercialising science and Research and Development.
This is the message that of one of Australia’s most successful politicians, former Queensland Premier, the Hon Peter Beattie AC, will bring to the University of South Australia when he talks on the subject of Australia’s economic growth later this week.
The Where To From Here, Australia? presentation is the latest in The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre’s 25th Birthday Iconic Lecture Series, with Peter’s valuable insights arising from a career in which he served as Queensland State Premier for nine years, as well as being Minister for Trade during most of that period.
Peter identifies that turning ideas into commercial realities that benefit Australia, as one of the challenges the country faces.
“Growing the economy means building a smarter Australia. Australians are great at coming up with smart ideas but terrible at translating them into products and commercialising them,” Peter says.
“This doesn’t mean these great ideas aren’t being turned into products, jobs and income. It’s just that it is happening in other countries and benefiting other economies.
“The heart of our problem is that we have a shortage of venture capital. Our funding to commercialise research has not evolved with the developed world’s transition to innovation and knowledge-based economies.
“To be a clever country we need a bipartisan commitment to sustained investment in commercialising science and R&D.”
Jacinta Thompson, Hawke Centre Executive Director said that Peter Beattie’s presentation, which will take place less than a week after election polling day, is timely.
“The Hawke Centre is looking forward to hosting Peter Beattie as part of the UniSA’s 25th Birthday Celebrations,” Ms Thompson says.
“This iconic lecture is timely and pertinent as we await news on the Australian election results.”
Where To From Here, Australia? will take place at 6pm on July 8 at the Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building and registrations to attend this event can be made here
Media contact (UniSA): Will Venn office +61 8302 0096 / 0401 366054 email will.venn@unisa.edu.au
