1. Government to undertake science skills audit

The Science Minister, Peter McGauran, has announced that the government will undertake an audit of Australia's science skills to determine the extent to which the needs of Australian industry and research bodies for graduates in science, technology and engineering are being met.

The audit, to be conducted in collaboration with the CSIRO, universities and industry groups, will evaluate the supply and demand of graduates from the major scientific disciplines and also report on skills shortages in sub-disciplines such as statistics, organic chemistry, horticulture, applied physics, power engineering, and entomology.

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2. Labor promises new manufacturing centre

The Australian Labor Party has announced it will provide $25 million over five years towards a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and appoint a minister devoted to Australia's manufacturing industries. The Centre of Excellence for Advance Manufacturing, for which a Labor government would seek matching funding from the private sector, will be a multi-campus facility bringing together experts from private sector, trade unions, the CSIRO, TAFE and universities to focus on research priority areas including advanced materials, aerospace, rail, automotive and shipbuilding engineering.

Labor will also establish an Australian Manufacturing Council, with representatives from government, industry and the union movement, to develop a 10-year National Manufacturing Strategy to revitalise manufacturing in Australia.

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3. New Business/Higher Education Council

A new Business/Industry/Higher Education Collaboration Council (BIHECC) has been established by the Federal Government to foster greater collaboration between Australian higher education providers, business, industry, and communities.

The 11-member Council, which will meet for the first time this month, is chaired by Mr David Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank, who is also Chairman of the Australian Bankers’ Association and a Board member of the Business Council of Australia.

Responsibilities of the Council will include:

• advising the Government on priorities for selecting business/ industry/university collaboration projects for funding from the new $36 million Collaboration and Structural Reform (CASR) Fund;
• marketing the Graduate Skills Assessment (GSA) to a broad range of employers;
• facilitating the involvement of small and medium enterprises in collaborative arrangements;
• promoting regional engagement between universities and business and industry;
• establishing and administering new Awards for Business/University Collaborations; and
• developing initiatives to further facilitate the commercialisation of intellectual property.

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4. NT Research and Innovation Fund launched

A new Northern Territory Research and Innovation Board and Fund is to be established with funding of $1 million from the NT Government.

NT Chief Minister, Clare Martin, said the Fund was designed to leverage additional new money into the NT knowledge economy from the private sector and the Commonwealth’s Backing Australia’s Ability Program. The money will be provided over three years (starting 2004/05).

The Fund will also offer scholarships and awards to assist Territory scientists, students and institutions - significantly increasing the number of post-graduate researchers in the NT - and otherwise assist research and innovation in the Territory.

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5. Seeking good ideas from the bush

Farmed rabbits, culinary snails, paprika, quandong, witchety grubs, wildflowers and green tea are just some of the innovative new industries to have received support from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

RIRDC is currently looking for people with ideas for innovation and is inviting researchers, industry organisations and individuals to apply for funding support in 2005-2006. The closing date for applications is September 17, 2004.

Managing director Simon Hearn said the corporation has a charter to foster diversification and new industry development while helping maintain competitiveness and sustainability in a range of established industries.

"Over the past decade the Corporation has supported diverse research such as freshwater aquaculture integrated into existing farming systems, a wide variety of Asian foods, commercial production of Australian bushfoods, identification of the most promising native cut flowers and improved productivity in the olive industry. It has also been at the forefront of research in established industries such as chicken meat, egg, rice and horses," he said.

"RIRDC supports research in four main program areas - New & Emerging Industries; Established Industries; Sustainable Systems; and Capacity Building & Competitiveness.

"It is a centre for new industries which we hope will develop into commercial enterprises, some that will become large-scale farm industries and others that will remain small but offer viable niche alternatives to Australian farmers."

Dr Hearn said the first step is to establish research projects that identify new opportunities and then work with researchers and stakeholders in those industries to bring them to adoption and commercialisation.

"Rural Australia has significant additional potential and we look forward to funding an array of projects that will facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable sector with well targeted research and innovation."

The corporation currently funds almost $25 million worth of projects per year.

Prospective applicants for research funding can obtain a free copy of the RIRDC Research Priorities and guidelines for the applications process from the RIRDC website at www.rirdc.gov.au or by calling 02 6272 4819.

Copies of most RIRDC research reports can be downloaded free of charge from the RIRDC website www.rirdc.gov.au, which has more than 1000 research reports on a wide range of rural industries.

Hard copies can be purchased online or by phone (02) 6272 4819. A free publication catalogue is also available.

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6. Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences
International Frontiers of Science and Technology

The "Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences: International Frontiers of Science and Technology" is an Australian Government initiative of the International Science Linkages Program to promote and develop linkages amongst the Australian science, technology, engineering communities and internationally.

Funding up to an amount of $90.000 per Conference is available through this scheme to assist with the staging of major international conferences that are strategically significant in Australia and address contemporary thematic areas emerging as high priorities.

Expressions of interest, comprising a one page summary, are sought from individuals, organisations or consortia, with an outstanding track record in science, technology or engineering, wishing to convene and organise a Sir Mark Oliphant Conference in 2005.A Sir Mark Oliphant Conference must not be part of an existing series.

For further information, including the relevant Guidelines, visit http://www.oliphant.org.au
The closing date for lodging Expressions of interest is 5.00 p.m. on Friday 27 August 2004.

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7. Spruson&Ferguson – Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Lawyers

Spruson&Ferguson is one of the few intellectual property firms in Australia committed to providing a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your IP.

Working with our associated legal firm Spruson&Ferguson Lawyers, we can provide IP solutions to help unlock your commercial potential and to enforce and protect your IP.

Our comprehensive range of services includes:

• drafting of patent specifications in all fields of technology
• filing, and all aspects of prosecution of Australian and International patent, design, and trade mark applications
• patent and trade mark opposition proceedings
• advice in relation to infringement and validity of patents, trademarks and designs
• patent, trade mark and design watches, patent and design novelty and infringement searches
• trademark use policing and dedicated trade mark searching services
• advice on intellectual property enforcement
• intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution
• commercialisation of intellectual property including drafting and negotiation of licences, joint ventures and R&D collaborations, and the establishment and funding of new technology ventures.

For additional information call us on (02) 9207 0777, e-mail mail@sprusons.com.au or visit our website at www.sprusons.com.au.

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8. Ernst & Young R&D Services

Ernst & Young Australia boasts one of the most experienced and multi-disciplined Innovation & Incentives practices in Australia. Comprising specialists with hands-on expertise in developing technology and leveraging government assistance, Ernst & Young's team is dedicated to helping clients gain maximum value from their R&D investments.

Ernst & Young has extensive experience with the R&D Tax Concession, R&D Tax Offset (cash rebate), R&D grants. We are looking forward to helping our clients with the new Commercial Ready grant program in the near future. We can also assist companies to access Export Market Development Grants and other State and Commonwealth grants. We help hundreds of Australian companies to access substantial R&D benefits each year.

Ernst & Young can help you to select the type of R&D assistance that best suits your company, considering your circumstances, your industry and your R&D projects. For more information on how Ernst & Young can help, please contact an office near you or visit our website at http://www.ey.com.au

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9. Shelston IP

NEW NAME

SAME COMMITMENT

FRESH APPROACH

1 July 2004 marked the start of a bright new era for our long-established Australian-based intellectual property firm Shelston IP, formerly known as Baldwin Shelston Waters (BSW).

Although our name has changed, our depth of experience, commitment to quality and dedication to clients remain the hallmarks of our 145-year history.

We continue to offer the full range of IP services in Australia and New Zealand including patent, trade mark and design registration, due diligence, licensing and litigation.

With the new name comes a fresh approach and an even sharper focus on our clients’ commercial objectives. The design elements of our new identity emphasise this, with the 'spotlight' firmly on IP.

The depth of talent, energy and enthusiasm of our people, combined with our location in Sydney as the commercial hub of Australasia, make Shelston IP one of the leading intellectual property firms in Australasia and your ideal focal point for IP activity in the region.

We look forward to working with you as Shelston IP.

Email: email@ShelstonIP.com
Internet: www.ShelstonIP.com

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