Business spending on research and experimental development (R&D) in Australia has increased for the sixth year in a row, to a total of $8.4 billion during 2004-05, according to this ABS report. Businesses in the mining industry reported the largest growth in R&D expenditure, and major contributors to R&D expenditure were the manufacturing ($3.5 billion or 41%) and property and business services industries ($1.6 billion or 19%). Business spending on research and experimental development (R&D) in Australia has increased for the sixth year in a row, to a total of $8.4 billion during 2004-05, according to this ABS report. Businesses in the mining industry reported the largest growth in R&D expenditure, increasing by $227 million or 23%. The major contributors to R&D expenditure were the manufacturing ($3.5 billion or 41%) and property and business services industries ($1.6 billion or 19%).