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Government Policy and Treasury

Comments on February 2026 Senate Economics Legislation Committee discussion on R&D Tax Incentive

February 13th, 2026

As reported in the media this week, the Senate Economics Legislation Committee discussed the administration of the R&D Tax Incentive. Swanson Reed has reviewed the discussion in detail. It involved interactions between three people, whose comments are summarised and paraphrased below: Greens Senator Barbara Pocock: Had queries around how many reviews are conducted each year; Queried whether staff conducting reviews include personnel with Science and Engineering qualifications; Asked for details of fines or penalties for incorrect claims, and indicated concerns that possible penalties […]

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November 2025 Industry Minister Update on Strategic Examination and Review of Australia’s R&D System

November 21st, 2025

In the May 2024 federal budget, The Albanese Government announced a strategic examination and review of Australia’s Research and Development (R&D) system to align it with national priorities and to improve outcomes. In late 2024, then Industry Minister Ed Husic announced specific details to launch the review. It was noted that the review will assess how to maximise the value of R&D investments, strengthen industry linkages, and support national priorities, and that the review will examine existing systems, such as […]

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R&D Tax Mentions in Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2024–25

November 11th, 2025

The R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) is co-administered by two government agencies: 1: The Department of Industry, Science and Resources on behalf of Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA): The department registers companies for the R&DTI program and makes findings on the eligibility of R&D activities. and 2: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO):  The ATO is responsible for administering R&DTI expenditure claims, and conducts reviews and audits on substantiation of claims and other matters. The Commissioner of Taxation’s Annual Report 2024–25 was published in late October 2025. This […]

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R&D Tax Policy Discussions Leading into The Government’s Productivity Roundtable

July 29th, 2025

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will convene The Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra from 19–21 August 2025 with a focus on enhancing Australia’s lagging productivity. The Roundtable will occur at a time whilst a Strategic Examination and Review of Australia’s R&D system (led by Robyn Denholm) is underway and possibly due to report later in the year. Recent media coverage has suggested that businesses may be looking to discuss the R&D Tax Incentive at the August Roundtable: The AFR has recently reported: Big […]

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