R&D
INFO, July 3, 2003
SUMMARY
NEWS
ALERTS
1. SENATE INQUIRY INTO HIGHER EDUCATION PACKAGE
2. REPORT ON BUSINESS COMMITMENT TO R&D
3. NEW NATIONAL SECURITY S&T UNIT
4. BEATTIE PROPOSES NATIONAL BIOTECH ALLIANCE
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
5. PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS SOUGHT BY
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT
EVENTS
6. INDUSTRY R&D EXHIBITION
BUSINESS SERVICES
7. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES
PUBLICATION
8. THE AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY
NEWS ALERTS
1. SENATE INQUIRY INTO HIGHER
EDUCATION PACKAGE
A sub-committee of the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee, chaired by Senator Kim Carr, has been formed to conduct an inquiry into the Federal Government's higher education package, announced in this year's budget.
The terms of reference direct the committee to investigate the likely financial effect of budgetary measures on universities and students, including such matters as fee deregulation and the likely effects of the expansion of full fee places; the implications for research and institutional governance and autonomy; the effect on rural universities; on industrial relations and other matters.
Other members of the sub-committee are: Senator Trish Crossin (ALP-NT), Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (AD-SA) and Senator John Tierney (LP-NSW).
Submissions
to the inquiry are invited, with a closing date of 15 August 2003. The committee
is due to report by 30 October 2003. Further information is at
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/eet_ctte/highed2003/index.htm.
2. REPORT ON BUSINESS COMMITMENT TO R&D
The report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Science and Innovation on business commitment to research and development in Australia has been tabled, putting forward 48 recommendations for actions by the government to improve business awareness of the benefits of R&D and to encourage greater business investment in R&D.
Most of the recommendations were for modifications to existing programs. However, amongst the more significant proposals for government to consider were:
* a refundable tax offset whereby major international firms choosing to site new R&D investment in Australia can claim the offset;
* the Commonwealth should waive the current 10% limit on overseas R&D that can be deducted, for investments of demonstrable benefit to Australia and where no equivalent domestic R&D provider is available;
* a program to fund research bodies set up within industry sectors supported by voluntary sector levies;
* a scheme, along the lines of the current Pooled Development Funds Program, to enable Funds or trusts whose sole purpose is to invest in R&D activities, to receive concessional tax treatment;
* changes to employee share option arrangements to boost the financial incentives for researchers to commercialise their research outcomes (possibly by removing the requirement to pay tax upfront on the issue of shares in a start-up company);
* introduction of a tapered capital gains tax in relation to assets held in new high-technology companies (whereby the tax is reduced in proportion to the length of time an asset is held);
* allow the R&D tax concession to be treated as a benefit to be recorded as operating income for accounting purposes (and offset against the company's tax expenses);
* extend the tax concession to cover the cost of intellectual property protection and patent applications;
* expand the grants-based START program by introducing a scheme that provides loans to early-stage companies, with the requirement that those loans be paid back if the venture is successful (but which enables the loans to be converted back to grants if the venture is unsuccessful).
The report, "Riding the Innovation Wave: the Case for Increasing Business Investment in R&D", is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/info/reports.htm
3. NEW NATIONAL SECURITY S&T UNIT
A Science, Engineering and Technology Unit is to be established in the new National Security Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Staff will be seconded from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the Department of Science, Education and Training, CSIRO, ASIO and the Australian Federal Police. A high level steering committee will oversight the strategic direction of the unit to coordinate scientific support for counter-terrorism.
4. BEATTIE PROPOSES NATIONAL BIOTECH ALLIANCE
The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has proposed a national biotech alliance to increase Australia's international competitiveness in biotechnology. He suggested that New Zealand could also participate in such an alliance.
Speaking at a function of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), Mr Beattie said the Federal Government should take a more strategic view of Australian biotechnology and show leadership on issues such as venture capital for emerging industries, and a tax regime that rewards investment in research and development
CALL
FOR PROPOSALS
5. PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS SOUGHT
BY QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency is seeking funding applications through the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF). Funding can assist:
* development of new sustainable energy products/technologies that reduce adverse environmental impacts resulting from fossil fuel use
* development of industrial process improvements that enhance energy efficiency and/or reduce waste, pollution or water consumption
* creation of Centres of Expertise involving collaborative sustainable energy projects by industry, universities, TAFE colleges, research institutes or professional associations.
Applicants must be Queensland-based organisations, with the main activities of the project to be undertaken within Queensland.
Funding of up to several hundred thousand dollars may be provided for any one project.
Applicants are expected to make a significant contribution to the project.
Applications must comply with the criteria described in the guidelines, and are evaluated and selected on a competitive basis.
Applicants need to provide detailed plans and documentation for their proposals, and demonstrate their technical and financial capability to manage the project and commercialise the results.
Guidelines for the sixth QSEIF funding round can be obtained by contacting Dr Martin Gellender on (07) 3224 8606 or martin.gellender@epa.qld.gov.au
Closing
date for applications - 19 September 2003
EVENTS
The Industrial Research Institute Swinburne (IRIS) is putting on an Industry R&D Exhibition which will showcase over 50 projects in MicroTechnology and NanoTechnology, Bioengineering, Automotive and Aerospace Engineering, high power Industrial Lasers etc.
The projects are sponsored by commercial companies and supported by industry and CRCs.
Please come along to see how you and your organization may benefit from similar R&D or how you may benefit from the existing developments. Students are encouraged to come along to view the future.
Where:
Grand Ballroom, Novotel Hotel, 16 The Esplanade, St Kilda.
ph (03) 9525 5522
When: 1pm to 4pm, Wednesday the 23rd July 2003
Note: FREE parking at the rear of the hotel. There is NO RSVP requirement.
Cost: Free
Contact:
Dr Dario Toncich on (03) 9214 87065081 or
dtoncich@swin.edu.au for further information.
BUSINESS SERVICES
7. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES
Spruson&Ferguson is the largest patent and trade mark attorney firm in Sydney with more than 100 years' experience in intellectual property protection and enforcement.
We understand how to advance your intellectual property assets and are committed to working closely with all clients to anticipate and fulfil every need.
Our attorneys have a depth and breadth of industry and academic experience that is unparalleled in Australia. Our clients appreciate our technical knowledge and value our business sense.
We offer the full scope of IP services including expert litigation, franchising and licensing, and IP management throughout the Asia-Pacific region working with our associated firm Ella Cheong Mirandah & Sprusons with offices in Singapore, Malaysia and India.
If you need guidance in protecting your IP assets or advice on how to capitalise on these assets, call one of the below Principals on (02) 9207 0777 and arrange a free initial consultation.
Electrical technologies: Robert Miller, robert.miller@sprusons.com.au
Biotechnology: Dr Andrew Blattman, andrew.blattman@sprusons.com.au
Chemical technologies: John McCann, john.mccann@sprusons.com.au
Mechanical technologies: Greg Turner, greg.turner@sprusons.com.au
Medical
technologies: Ryan Curnick, ryan.curnick@sprusons.com.au
Trade
marks: Annette Freeman, annette.freeman@sprusons.com.au
PUBLICATION
8. THE AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORY
The Third Edition of The Australian Environment Directory has just been published. The Directory is a 440 page guide to the environment sector at Federal and State levels, allowing readers to quickly identify which departments and agencies are responsible for programs and relevant legislation.
Areas covered include air quality, catchment management, greenhouse, renewable energy, salinity, land, coastal and marine management. Environmental strategies at national and state level are also outlined.
The Directory also provides information about more than 700 research centres and bodies, higher education facilities, organisations and associations.
The Directory retails for $90.
For further information, contact Hallmark Editions on (03) 9530 8900 or fax (03) 9530 8911, Email: ruth@halledit.com.au.
Website:
http://www.halledit.com.au/publications/envirodir.html
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See
also:
R&D Review