Chris Hayes (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I very much support the presentation of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Science and Innovation report Pathways to technological innovation. In the report the committee has attempted to drill down into the underlying issues affecting innovation—in particular, the make-up of an environment conducive to innovation, the culture of support, the development of new ideas in this country and any impediments. The inquiry looked for ways to assist the strengthening of our pathways to make it easier to commercialise innovation. I was very happy to be part of this inquiry. There was very much a genuine and positive effort made by all members, culminating in the unanimous report that the member for Kooyong has just presented to the House.

The inquiry received over 100 submissions and conducted 10 public hearings, receiving evidence from witnesses from industry, technology development, innovation and academia. I congratulate the member for Kooyong. Once more he has demonstrated himself as being a very fair and inclusive committee chair, and I am very proud to be part of the committee. I am speaking today in part on behalf of the member for Franklin, Harry Quick, who is the deputy chair of the committee but who, unfortunately, has taken very ill and has not yet returned to the parliament.

This inquiry received the total cooperation of all members, who participated very fully with a dedication to the cause. It would be remiss of me if I did not join the chair in commending the efforts of the committee secretary, Dr Anna Dacre, and her team, consisting of Dr Alison Clegg, Lea Hill, Rachelle Mitchell, Emma Martin and Daniel Miletic. Their dedication, professionalism and good humour was very much appreciated by the committee members.

I will comment further on the report in the Main Committee later today, but at this stage it is worth while mentioning that this report attempts to identify not only the need to develop an entrepreneurial culture in Australia but also the ways that can occur and the impediments that need to be addressed so those ideas can be developed. Innovation is the development of ideas and technology transfers through to the actual process of commercialisation. Therefore, innovation must be considered a natural development, not simply a lucky strike, if I could use that expression.

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