Strong Queensland - Research, development, innovation
2020 target: 50% increase in proportion of Queensland businesses that undertake research and development or innovation
Measure: Proportion of innovating businesses (source: Innovation in Australian Business from Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Lead agency: Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
Current performance
Queensland has a strong record of businesses creating and harnessing new ideas to work smarter and develop better products.
Innovation success stories include Brisbane-based ICT leader Mincom and Far North Queensland's Barramundi Blue. Mincom exports its resource planning software system around the world while Barramundi Blue has revolutionised traditional aquaculture with a system that uses less land, water and energy to achieve the same results.
But innovation is also about the front and back office changes that make businesses run smoother and faster. In 2006-07, 36% of Queensland businesses developed or introduced new or significantly improved products or services. This made us the innovation leader in the nation.
Strengthening our innovation performance even more will improve our competitiveness, increase Queensland's attractiveness to business investors and better prepare us to face emerging global issues.
Achievements since September 2007
- Launched a new direction for the Smart State Strategy that focuses on developing the talent of our people – shifting the focus from ‘bricks to brains’.
- Attracted the Australian head office of aviation giant Boeing International's research and development unit to Brisbane.
Challenges
Skills shortages: lack of skilled staff is a major barrier to innovation. A national survey of 500 CEOs by the Australian Industry Group in 2008 found 60% of firms said skills shortages were restricting innovation.
Business investment in research and development: Queensland business investment per person in research and development is only above Tasmania's.
Achieving the target
To achieve a 50% increase in the proportion of Queensland businesses that undertake research and development or innovation we must create a culture that champions innovation.
The Queensland Government will play its part by:
- investing in research and development and innovation infrastructure and incentives
- facilitating collaboration between research institutions and industry, and among firms that can learn from each other
- connecting early-stage knowledge businesses with the finance they need to grow
- attracting innovative international companies and skilled migrants to Queensland
- investing in skills and creativity, to build the ideas and knowledge of our people
- reducing red tape.
We need the Australian Government to support our efforts, including by investing in our universities and research institutions.
We need industry and community members to create their own success by investing in new technology or by collaborating with research organisations to find ways of operating smarter.
Share your ideas
We want your ideas on what can be done to ensure that, in 2020, 50% more Queensland businesses are undertaking research and development or innovation.
What innovations could your business introduce? Share your ideas.
Last updated Monday, February 09, 2009
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