$38m to get new technologies working for Australia

The federal government is introducing a comprehensive national framework to guide the safe development of new technologies such as nanotechnology and biotechnology as part of a $38.2 million National Enabling Technologies Strategy, which has now been released.

The strategy provides a comprehensive national framework with three funding components:

• $10.6 million to support policy and regulatory development, industry uptake, international engagement and strategic research;
• $9.4 million for public awareness and community engagement to increase understanding of enabling technologies; and
• $18.2 million for the National Measurement Institute to improve measurement infrastructure, standards and expertise and ensure that Australia leads the way internationally.

A Stakeholder Advisory Council will advise on implementation of the strategy and an Expert Forum for Enabling Technologies will monitor emerging trends.

“The strategy will help ensure that balanced, factual information is easily accessible to the community and industry. It will also deliver nationally consistent measures to promote the uptake of these technologies, which offer Australian industry a sustainable future,” said Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr.

The strategy is part of the government’s $1.1 billion Super Science Initiative. The strategy is available at www.innovation.gov.au/enablingtechnologies.