The former Chair of Innovation Australia will conduct a wide-ranging Government review of Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres.

Prominent lawyer and innovation expert David Miles has been appointed to lead the review, which will investigate whether the Government-backed CRC Programme is really the best way to achieve its goals.

The terms of reference for the review cover many elements, including;

  • The effectiveness of the CRC programme to encourage industry and research sector collaboration
  • Ways to best convey the Government’s priorities for applied science and research
  • Looking overseas for more economically appropriate approaches to driving industry growth
  • Checks of the governance, intellectual property and other commercialisation-related practices of CRCs
  • Finding ways for the government’s investment in the CRC programme to further drive effective collaboration, while ensuring costs are kept down
  • Investigating whether there is still sufficient demand in the research sector and industry for the collaborative structures
  • Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said Mr Miles will bring experience, expertise and insight to the review

“As Australia moves to consolidate its strengths and facilitate more frequent and targeted research connections between business and science, now is the ideal time to assess the programme and ensure Australia is making effective investments in collaborative projects that will boost Australia’s productivity and international competitiveness,” he said.

“Mr Miles has extensive experience and expertise and has made an outstanding contribution to innovation in Australia.”

The CRC programme began in 1991 under the Hawke Government. Since then, a total of 209 CRCs have been funded by the Australian Government which has committed more than $3.8 billion through the CRC programme.

There are 36 CRCs currently in progress ranging from Cell Therapy to Environment Management in Space.