Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

I present the interim report of the Economics References Committee on Australia's automotive industry, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee.

Ordered that the reports be printed.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I seek leave to continue my remarks given the hour.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

I present the interim report of the Economics References Committee on Australia's innovation system, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee.

Ordered that the report be printed.

I move:

That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Economics References Committee on Australia's innovation system be extended to 25 November 2015.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I will speak briefly at this time. This interim report is in the form of an issues paper that has been written by Professor Roy Green, who has been engaged by the Economics References Committee to assist the committee in its assessment of the innovation system, following the receipt of 181 submissions to the inquiry. It goes to the issue of what is innovation and why it is important in Australia, and why it is so significant for the future economic prosperity of the nation. The detail of that is contained in the report.

The report also identifies a number of impediments to the development of the innovation system. While the committee enjoyed a number of public hearings, it did work in a highly collegiate manner. As a consequence, I believe that this is a report of substance and when it is finally concluded, the report will be of lasting benefit to the Senate. I am particularly concerned to highlight the issues that go to the weaknesses in the innovation system and the obstacles to the development of the innovation system. They are detailed in this interim report. The issues paper itself identifies a number of questions which others may wish to comment upon, and I trust that they will. There will be an opportunity for further submissions to be received by the committee. I commend the report to the chamber. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted.