The government’s $1.1 billion innovation agenda – a trademark of the Turnbull regime – was unveiled in December under the catchphrase ‘the ideas boom’. Relative to this, the Turnbull government is to devote a further $28 million into its annual advertising budget to pitch its innovation agenda and trigger a culture shift in the country. Last year, Australia’s dwindling global innovation rankings spurred an interest in the need for a philosophy change related to risk-taking, new ideas and business failure. Consequently, […]
Indeed, the start of a new year often signifies the beginning of an onslaught of resolutions. Whilst breaking a coffee addiction, hitting the gym or eating clean are often the personal innovations that plague resolution lists, the goals of a company shouldn’t be left off the agenda. In particular, innovation, much like resolutions, helps to refresh, reinvent and re-energise companies. In light of Turnbull unleashing his plans for an ‘ideas boom’ last month, Australia is somewhat playing catch-up in cultivating a […]
In the case of Docklands Science Pty Ltd and Innovation Australia [2015] AATA 973, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has determined that activities conducted by the taxpayer were not R&D activities as there was insufficient documentation to support the claim. Background Three projects were registered for work claimed to be conducted with the CSIRO and other contractors: nanoparticles; geopolymer engineered products; and environmental engine. AusIndustry conducted a review of the registration and concluded that the activities were not core R&D […]
From the cochlear implant and the first ultrasound scanner to wi-fi and penicillin, Australia has indeed developed highly innovative products in the high-tech and medical sectors. However, while these industries are traditionally associated with the mere mention of ‘innovation’, they do not encompass our whole economy. In Australia particularly, high-tech manufacturing contributes to less than 1 per cent of Australia’s total output. Hence, Turnbull’s mission to improve Australia’s reputation as an innovative country will entail a broader emphasis on innovation by business […]