• Terry Cutler
• Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

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31 July 2008On 25 February 2008, Dr Terry Cutler, Chair of the Expert Panel for the Review of the National Innovation System, presented this speech at the annual conference of the Australian Industrial Research Group. In it he discussed the terms of reference which provided:

"the Panel with the latitude necessary to consider the system in its entirety. In particular, the panel is tasked to:
? Identify a set of principles to underpin the role and participation of the public sector in
innovation.
? Develop a set of national innovation priorities to complement the national research priorities,
ensuring the objectives of research programs and other innovation initiatives are
complementary.
? Identify regulatory and other barriers to innovation and recommend ways to minimise these.
? Examine the scope for simplifying and reducing program duplication and ensuring that any support provided is well-targeted and easy to access.
? Consider the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Research and Development
(R&D) Tax Concession Scheme in promoting innovation and make recommendations to
improve innovation outcomes.
? Consider ways to improve the governance of the national innovation system to support higher expectations of government agencies and industry.
? Assess the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Cooperative Research Centres
(CRC) Program and make recommendations to improve innovation outcomes."