Text size:

National Innovation Agenda

What is the National Innovation Agenda?

The National Innovation Agenda (NIA) is a concept proposed by the Victorian Government for a coordinated national approach to boosting Australia's innovation system, productivity and economic growth prospects.

A new approach to innovation in Australia

In March 2007 the Victorian Government released a proposal for a National Innovation Agenda (NIA). A core purpose of the initial NIA proposal was to mobilise support around developing a coordinated approach to innovation policy in this country.

National Innovation Agenda Proposal (PDF 721Kb)

Progressing a Shared National Innovation Agenda

In October and December 2007, as a part of the NIA consultation process, two meetings were held with high level representatives from all State and Territory governments, key business, research and academic organisations, and other interested individuals.

Building on these consultations, Progressing a Shared National Innovation Agenda was developed as a collaborative update to the initial proposal, and provides a framework for a new national approach to innovation policy, identifying priority areas for action:

Increase business innovation;
Provide the infrastructure to enable innovation;
Develop skills for the innovation economy;
Create a better regulatory environment for innovation;
Forge better connections and collaborations; and
Foster a culture for innovation.

The content of Progressing a Shared National Innovation Agenda represents the views and priorities of a wide range of stakeholders.

Progressing a Shared National Innovation Agenda (PDF 509Kb)

National Innovation System Review

As flagged in the lead up to the Federal election, early in 2008 the Rudd Government commissioned a comprehensive review of the national innovation system, to be undertaken by an expert panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler. The panel is to prepare a Green Paper to the Commonwealth by 31 July 2008. For more information about the Review please visit the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website: http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview/Pages/home.aspx

Progressing a Shared National Innovation Agenda has been conveyed to the review panel and provides a framework for national innovation policy.

Encouraging the Innovation Debate

In order to inform and stimulate debate surrounding the National Innovation Agenda, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development commissioned a series of discussion papers:

Beyond Taylorism: Regulating for Innovation – Some ideas for discussion for the National Innovation Agenda (PDF 186Kb)

Dr Nicholas Gruen, CEO of Lateral Economics calls for Australia to become a pacesetter in outcome based regulation and regulatory flexibility.

Innovation Policy, Productivity, and the Reform Agenda in Australia: A Framework for Analysis (PDF 226Kb)

Keith Smith and Jonathan West from the Australian Innovation Research Centre argue for a new round of economic reform.

The Minister outlined the NIA in a speech to the Innovation Leadership Summit on 6 December 2006.

( )

Meeting the challenges - Developing an Innovation Action Agenda (PDF 1Mb)

Summary of proceedings from the Melbourne Innovation Leadership Forum -Wednesday 6 December 2006

Response to the Culture and Leadership Pillar of the National Innovation Agenda (PDF 83Kb)

A sixth theme has been added to the National Innovation Agenda Proposal. Society for Knowledge Economics has prepared this response.

Contact details