Innovation has become progressively debated in public discourse of late, leading to a significant focus on the R&D Tax Incentive in the last 12 months. This week, however, a positive development was made that will no doubt be welcomed by the innovation ecosystem in Australia. To clarify, a proposed 1.5% cut to the R&D Tax Incentive under the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 3) Bill 2015 will not ensue – the Bill before the senate has lapsed and […]
Undeniably, policies aimed at growing national research and development (R&D) activity is now a central element of national tactics to increase productivity, long run economic growth and international competitiveness in most countries. According to the OECD, the largest amount of R&D tax support, in relative terms, was provided by the Netherlands with 87% as percentage of total government support; however, Australia is a close second with 85% as percentage of total government support. Moreover, Australia actually tops the globe for loss making […]
‘Innovation’, the term alone has somewhat formed a place in the Australian vernacular in recent months. The buzzword skyrocketed into popularity when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull issued its National Innovation and Science Agenda in December, detailing plans to increase innovation, entrepreneurship and reward risk tasking. Now, according to the latest details provided by the Australian Intellectual Property Report 2016, innovation has become more than just political jargon and is actually on the rise by Australians – both locally and abroad. To […]
Undeniably, sugar consumption is emerging as a major health issue to be faced by governments around the world, including in Australia. Correspondingly, debate on a sugar tax in Australia has now become a key topic of conversation since the British Government decided to proceed with a tax on soft drinks last month. In research published by PLOS ONE, the impact of such a tax in Australia has been modelled. Over 25 years, a 20 per cent rise in the price of soft drinks […]