1. Science and Research Adviser for Nelson

Following the abolition of the science portfolio after the recent election, the Federal government has created a new position of Science and Research Adviser to the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson.

The job will be filled by Dr Jade Sharples, who was appointed earlier this year as Science and Technology Officer at the British High Commission in Canberra. Dr Sharples has a PhD in biology and is a qualified lawyer with experience in intellectual property analysis and protection for scientific research.

Dr Nelson said that in addition to her role as his Science and Research Adviser, Dr Sharples will provide the contact point within his office for peak science bodies, research agencies and the broader scientific community.

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2. PMSEIC meeting delayed to March

The next meeting of the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council, which would normally have been held early this month, has been postponed, due to the election, to a date likely to be in March.

Topics on the agenda for the meeting include:

• a presentation prepared by the Council's nanotechnology working group, chaired by Dr Deborah Rathjen and Dr Leanna Read;
• a presentation prepared by the Antarctic and South Ocean Science Working Group, chaired by Dr John Zillman; and
• a report by the Working Group on Growing Technology-based SMEs chaired by David Miles that will look at growing the export capacity of SMEs.

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3. National Innovation Website launched

The National Innovation Council has launched a National Innovation website, funded under the $13.9 million National Innovation Awareness Strategy, to promote the benefits of innovation and to identify programs to assist individuals and business.

The site provides two streams - Innovation for Business, and Innovation for Youth. The Business site provides a general introduction to innovation, links to public sector and non-profit providers of business assistance, links to a range of publications and to other useful sites. The Youth website is designed to assist young people who might be interested in becoming entrepreneurs, providing a range of case studies and links to helpful sites.

The National Innovation website can be accessed at http://www.innovation.gov.au.

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4. Consultation on new innovation program

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR) is conducting a consultation process on the new Industry Cooperative Innovation Program (ICIP) which was announced in From Strength to Strength: The Coalition’s Policy for Australian Industry on 8 October 2004.

According to the policy statement, the $25 million program will support "cooperative projects by firms to develop and use new technologies, with priority being given to projects meeting strategic industry needs identified through an Action Agenda."

DITR has released a discussion paper to generate feedback on the establishment and operation of the program, and is holding a series of consultation forums in capital cities.
More information is at www.isr.gov.au, click on `What's New'.

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5. Minerals Council warns on sliding R&D

The Mineral Industry Survey Report for 2004, prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the Minerals Council of Australia, has warned that, in spite of predicted increased investment in the industry over 2004-05 reflecting new projects currently under development, R&D expenditure will be up to 45% lower than it was for 2003-04.

This will be the ninth year in a row where minerals industry R&D expenditure has fallen, although the report notes the result also reflects "a significant `narrowing' of the definition of allowable R&D expenditure and changed depreciation arrangements with the adoption of the `effective life regime'.

However, together with the low level of total exploration expenditure, the report warns that the drop in R&D investment "may have significant consequences for the next generation of minerals developments in Australia".

The report is at www.minerals.org. au/corporate/whats_new

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6. Advanced Alert: The 2005 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science will be available for nomination shortly.

Nominations for any of the following five (5) prestigious awards will shortly officially be announced:

• The Prime Minster’s Prize for Science,
• Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year,
• Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year;
• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools and
• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellnce in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Closing date: Friday, 8 April 2005 AEST.

Information about the Prizes and the online nomination process is available on https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/scienceprize/pages/home.aspx.

Contact Information:
Science Prizes Secretariat, Department of Education, Science and Training
Tel: (02) 6240 5066
Fax: (02) 6123 6168
Email: pmprize@dest.gov.au.

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7. AIRG Conference 2005

AIRG (the Australian Industrial Research Group) will be having its Conference 2005 in Sydney on 20-22 February 2005. The venue will be Novotel Brighton Beach, Cnr. Grand Parade & Princess Street, Brighton-Le-Sands, NSW.

The theme of the conference will be: “Getting Down to the Business of Innovation”.

The session topics and presentations will be:

• Keynote Address – “An International View of Innovation Imperatives”, Dr Guido Bognolo, Brussels

Session1: “Searching for Innovators”

• “Seeking, Selecting and Attracting Innovators”
• “Managing Expectations and Burnout”

Session 2: “Enhancing Breakthough/Emerging Technologies”

• “Fostering and Driving Disruptive Technologies”
• “Blending Leading Edge Technologies with Industry”
• “Achievements in Enhancing the Innovation Environment”

Session 3: “The Era of Open Innovation”

• “Structuring Industry and Public Research to Maximise Benefits”
• “Gaining the Desired Outcomes from Outsourcing”
• “Brokering Technologies between Groups”

Session 4: “Ensuring Desired Performance Outcomes”

• “Working with All Groups Influencing the Innovation Process”
• “Gaining Commitment from Internal/External Teams

We invite those people who are interested in the issues facing improvements in Australia’s business innovation environment to attend this important conference on these issues.
Please contact Allan Clark, AIRG for any other information.
Ph: 61 7 3378 0248, Fax: 61 7 3378 0238,
Email: airg@zip.com.au)

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8. Trace elements in the environment – Adelaide

In April 2005, the International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE) will come to Australia for the first time.

CSIRO Land and Water is working closely with The International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry to bring you this conference, the eighth in a highly successful series.

The 8th ICOBTE promises to be the premier industry-wide annual gathering of environmental researchers and other professionals drawn from the food, fertiliser, health and mining sectors, with a strong focus on remediation and contaminant risk assessment.
- Dr Mike McLaughlin, Conference Chair.

Special symposia topics include:

• Trace element speciation
• Synchrotron applications
• Quantifying reduction in bioavailability and human/ecological risk
• Arsenic in the environment
• Soil and sediment remediation
• Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production
• Assessing risks of metals to the terrestrial environment
• Using isotopes to detect metal bioavailability and exposure routes
• Trace elements at the soil-root/microbe interface

A full program for accompanying persons will also be offered.

When:
3-7 April 2005

Where:
Adelaide International Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia

Key Dates:
Earlybird registration closes 12 December 2004

More information:
www.clw.csiro.au/conferences/8thICOBTE/

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9. Pharmaceutical Science Online Programs

Enhance your career prospects for the Pharmaceutical Industry
The University of Queensland School of Pharmacy

Join one of the fastest growing industries employing Science graduates in Australia.

The UQ School of Pharmacy is currently offering on-line programs that will enable you to meet and satisfy current and emerging pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry needs. The Pharmaceutical Science suite of programs are particularly relevant for people working in, or intending to work in the international pharmaceutical industry, and can be completed in as little as six months.

Flexible delivery enables you to study toward a postgraduate qualification, whilst allowing for current work and family commitments. Access educational materials via the Internet at times that suit you, without the need to travel or fit around a university timetable.

Phone NOW for further information (07) 3346 9814
or visit our website at
www.uq.edu.au/pharmacy/mpharmsc/mps.html

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10. Professional Certificate in Business Principles

Are you wishing to exploit your entrepreneurial drive, needing to communicate more clearly with business, wanting to understand the business of business, or simply wishing to broaden your professional development?

The Business/Higher Education Round Table in partnership with the La Trobe University Graduate School of Management introduce the Professional Certificate in Business Principles. A short course focused on the practical use & application of the material covered.

THE COURSE: Financial Management; Marketing; Business Environment & Innovative Management; Organisational Behaviour & Leadership

THE COST: $3,350 incl. GST

DELIVERED WHERE: CBD, Melbourne

WHEN: 2005 - commences March, ends May (8 non-consecutive weekends)

BY WHOM: By practitioners & academics with extensive experience in their fields recruited by the LTU GSM.

THE AWARDS: The Professional Certificate is recognised by the LTU GSM as being equivalent to 4 unspecified credits towards the LTU Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. If eligible & if you elect at the commencement of the B-HERT program to enrol in the GCBA, at the successful completion of the B-HERT Certificate you will also be awarded the LTU GCBA. You may wish to articulate to the LTU MBA.

Information at: www.bhert.com
B-HERT Secretariat: 03 9419 8068
Email: bhert@bhert.com

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11. Investment and Strategic Business Planning

YOU HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY……BUT CAN YOU TAKE IT TO MARKET SUCCESSFULLY?

MU Private and the AIC offer the following programs:

Principles of Investment

A 1 day introductory level program designed to explain the principles and methods for analysing and evaluating investment projects with a technology focus for public and private enterprises.
Cost: $350 + GST.
Hawthorn, Melbourne February 2nd 2005

Accounting for Investment Projects

A 1 day introductory level program that examines the reporting, disclosure and valuation standards used to account for investment projects.
Cost: $350 + GST.
Hawthorn, Melbourne February 9th 2005

Strategic Business Planning

An advanced 5 day intensive program for professionals working in commercialisation where you will:

• Learn the four key tests for commercialising new products and services
• Find out what it takes to secure finance
• Gain invaluable knowledge about IP strategy and protection
• Polish your business planning and strategic skills

If you apply your skill to the completion of a commercialisation plan for your business, you can gain an accredited award at the same time.

Parkville, Melbourne February 21st to 25th 2005
Cost $2,700 + GST short course only. Award program $4,200.
For more information go to www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise. or contact Gemma Lane, 03 9810 3174 g.lane@muprivate.edu.au.

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12. Freehills Carter Smith Beadle has changed its name to Freehills Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys.

The new name reflects the expertise that Freehills Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys provides its clients, and the close affiliation it has with Freehills and its award-winning Intellectual Property group.

Freehills Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys specialises in the creation, acquisition and commercialisation of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade marks and designs.

We have particular experience and technical expertise in:

• biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
• chemistry and materials sciences
• designs
• engineering and physics
• information and communication services
• trade marks

Drawing on a national and international network, we manage the intellectual property portfolios of a diverse range of clients. Our client base ranges from individual inventor applicants through to major domestic and foreign corporations and spans many industries and technologies.

In 2000, Freehills Carter Smith Beadle was formed from a merger between Freehills Patent Attorneys and Carter Smith & Beadle. Partner Greg Noonan says this recent change highlights the growth and evolution of the business. 'Even though our name has changed, we continue to deliver best practice advice and solutions.'

URL: www.freehills.com/patentsandtrademarks
Email: patentsandtrademarks@freehills.com.
Telephone:
Melbourne (03) 9288 1577
Sydney (02) 9225 5777
Registered Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys in Australia and New Zealand

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13. Ernst & Young R&D Services

Commercial Ready, the new R&D grant program is now open for applications. If you would like to discuss the option of seeking Commercial Ready assistance for your company please contact our experts below. Ernst & Young has extensive experience with R&D grants, the R&D Tax Concession, R&D Tax Offset (cash rebate), 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 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 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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