The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has set up an Advisory Council of government and business leaders to work towards establishing NSW as Australia’s lead state for research and development (R&D).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Advisory Council met for the first time last week and discussed a range of areas where R&D had the potential to make a major contribution to solving NSW’s big challenges.
“R&D is a major source of innovation and an important driver of economic growth,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“R&D activities have the potential to create new jobs and improve lives for the whole community,” she said.
“They can lead to improved health and social wellbeing and better planning for our future.”
Ms Berejiklian said her Parliamentary Secretary, Gabrielle Upton, had appointed the Advisory Council of leaders in innovation, business, government and the tertiary education sector to provide insights and advice to the Government.
The Council will be chaired by David Gonski and includes Maxine Brenner, Jillian Broadbent, Phil Marcus Clark, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Professor Barney Glover, Professor Brigid Heywood, Catherine Livingstone, Professor Mary O’Kane, Daniel Petre, Professor Michelle Simmons, and Jennifer Westacott.
Ms Berejiklian said the Council would next year deliver a plan of action for making NSW the R&D leader within Australia.
Council Chair, David Gonski said the first meeting was highly productive, with insightful and engaging discussions and contributions from members.
