The Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, launched yesterday by Prime Minister Turnbull, profiles RDA Hunter as an exemplar of regional leadership in innovation.

Described in the package of measures as embracing innovation and research to grow the Hunter’s international competitiveness, RDA Hunter is helping the Hunter build on its competitive advantages to drive unique, region-specific innovation.

“Our Smart Specialisation is setting an agenda for the Hunter’s future by identifying and building on the region’s competitive advantages and our ME Program is building a smarter workforce for the future by improving the Hunter’s uptake of STEM subjects by Hunter high school students,” continued Mr Williams.

In a joint statement with Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, Mr Turnbull said, “Australia is falling behind on measures of commercialisation and collaboration, consistently ranking last or second last among OECD countries for business-research collaboration,”

“Our appetite for risk is lower than in comparable countries, which means Australian start-ups and early stage businesses often fail to attract capital to grow.”

To arrest the well-documented innovation malaise, the government is now pushing a four-pronged strategy that revolves around “Culture and capital”, “Collaboration”, “Talent and skills” and “Government as an exemplar”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals Warren Truss said the Australian Government’s new National Innovation and Science Agenda will change the way Australians work together to shape the future.

“Innovation is everyone’s business in the 21st Century—from our small towns to local regions through to our cities, and that goes for big and small businesses, alike.

“Not only will it help economically to connect to a world ever-hungry to the reliable supply of high quality products and resources Australia is renowned for, but it is essential to improving the wellbeing and quality of life of Australians in regions and in rural and remote areas.

Download the National Innovation and Science Agenda http://www.innovation.gov.au/page/agenda

View Deputy Prime Minister Truss’s media release http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2015/December/wt413_2015.aspx