Submission: Strategic Examination of Research and Development Discussion Paper

What would an integrated, sustainable, dynamic and impactful Australian R&D system look like?

An integrated, sustainable, dynamic and impactful Australian Research and Development (R&D) system should function as a seamless pipeline, facilitating the transition from basic research to translational research and, ultimately, the development of new products and services. To ensure continuity and long-term growth, it is crucial that government support remains stable across political transitions. Frequent changes in government programs can disrupt the pipeline, hindering the growth of companies and innovation.

To uphold the integrity and efficiency of the system, there must be nationally co-ordinated oversight mechanisms and accountability frameworks that track progress, assess outcomes, and ensure that public investments deliver long-term public benefit. These mechanisms should provide transparency around decision-making, foster trust among stakeholders, and enable adaptive governance in response to emerging challenges and opportunities.

A successful R&D system must also have a clear, long-term strategy with a focus on nurturing innovative Australian companies, helping them scale into large, globally competitive entities that provide employment opportunities for a skilled workforce. This vision should include fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, ensuring a sustainable flow of resources, talent, and knowledge to drive ongoing innovation, and accountability and oversight to ensure the system operates with coherence and strategic intent.

The above is an excerpt from AAMRI’s comprehensive submission on the Strategic Examination of Research Development Discussion Paper. You can read AAMRI’s full Submission below.