Page 3929 - Week 12 - Thursday, 23 November 2006
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Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The ACT Government is a member of the Australian-New Zealand Biotechnology Alliance (ANZBA). ANZBA is a partnership to promote leading biotechnology R&D and business opportunities in the region. Working directly with industry and the research sector, the members of ANZBA are the Australian State and Territory Governments and the Government of New Zealand.
The ACT Government has also been a participating member on the Committee for Marketing Australian Biotechnology (CMAB) and the Biotechnology Liaison Committee (BLC) which each have representation from each State and Territory and the Commonwealth Government.
(2) Benefits include:
• Intergovernment collaboration.
• Business to business connections.
• Coordinated Australian participation at the annual BIO Conference organised by the Biotechnology Industry Organisation of the United States.
(3) The Government released its ACT Bio-Business Strategy endorsed by the Canberra Partnership Board in 2005. The strategy aims to position Canberra to maximise the potential of the biotechnology research and development occurring at institutions including the ANU, CSIRO and University of Canberra.
The Government has supported the establishment of the Canberra and Region Branch of Ausbiotech and has partnered with Ausbiotech to deliver the Canberra a Region Biotechnology Showcase for the past three years. The Government has also supported Trade Missions for industry and research institutions to participate at BIO in the US.
Centrelink
(Question No 1277)
Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Business and Economic Development, upon notice, on 21 September 2006:
(1) In relation to Action 25 in the Economic White Paper, what action has been initiated by the ACT Government with key Commonwealth Departments, such as Centrelink, the Australian Taxation Office and Defence, to develop stronger links;
(2) If action has been taken, what have been the outcomes of this action;
(3) If stronger links have been developed, why was the ACT Government apparently caught unawares by the announcement concerning the Centrelink IT Centre being located in Adelaide;
(4) If action to develop stronger links has not been undertaken, why not.
Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Engagement with Commonwealth Departments has occurred across the ACT Government. Examples include: engagement with Defence to assist local business access Defence contracts; engagement between ACT Planning and Land Authority and the
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