Page 955 - Week 03 - Thursday, 28 February 2013
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This policy has at its core market-based approaches and targeted support and funding to boost employment, business activity, growth, investment and innovation and to help territory firms thrive in global markets. Many of the initiatives in the strategy are aligned and work very well with the commonwealth’s programs and policy directions for industry.
A reviewed and renewed Australia industry participation national framework that seeks to align the local industry participation policies of all Australian governments is currently being negotiated, and the new framework will allow jurisdictions to actively support local industry in purchasing decisions. This fits well with our work to give local SMEs a leg up when tendering for ACT government work.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, given that the federal government’s innovation statement has been characterised as gutting the research and development tax incentive, what will you do to save R&D undertakings occurring in the ACT when they no longer have the tax incentive to rely on?
MR BARR: It has been described by some that way. I do not necessarily think that that is the consensus view.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: How will the industry and innovation statement help small and medium enterprises?
MR BARR: The statement recognises the significant contribution that governments can make in promoting innovation through collaborative SME-focused programs. The Australian government has committed to providing $30 million for a new SME-focused program to expand access to public sector markets.
Based on the US small business innovation research program and the Victorian government’s smart SME market validation program, this measure will help SMEs understand and develop capabilities required by government in public procurement processes. It will generate innovative solutions to public sector issues and deliver new IP to SMEs to sell into global markets.
This measure provides strong validation of the emerging work of the—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This measure provides strong validation of the emerging work of the ACT’s Centre for Exporting Government Solutions, which I am launching early next month. I expect some valuable collaboration between the Australian government and the states and territories that will provide new opportunities for Australian SMEs to work closely with Australian governments to innovate and to develop new global market opportunities.
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