Robyn Denholm, the Chair of global automotive and clean energy company Tesla, will lead a review of Australia’s research and development performance.
Federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said Ms Denholm, who is also Chair of the Tech Council of Australia, would be part of a four-person panel.
“It will be the first time in almost 20 years that this important foundation of our economy will come in for such wide-ranging review,” Minister Husic said.
He said Ms Denholm brought extensive experience in R&D through her senior leadership roles at some of the most innovative companies on the planet.
Other panels members are:
- Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb, former Vice Chancellor of Australia National University, former Chief Scientist, current Chair of the Health and Medical Advisory Group and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
- Professor Fiona Wood, former Australian of the Year, pioneer of “Recell” spray-on skin, Director of Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit and Winthrop Professor in the School of Surgery at the University of Western Australia.
- Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of LaunchVic (Victoria’s startup agency), Non-Executive Director at the Victorian Government Innovation Panel and the Australian Information Industry Association, former CEO of ASX-listed Rision Ltd.
Minister Husic said the panel was being asked to assess the benefits to economic growth and productivity from a more purposeful approach to R&D and report back by the end of 2025.
He said they would consider opportunities to:
- Maximise the value of existing investment in R&D.
- Strengthen linkages between research and industry.
- Support the achievement of national priorities.
- Drive greater R&D investment.
- Uplift Australia’s overall R&D intensity
Ms Denholm said Australia had ambitious goals to become a thriving economy that leveraged its people.
“While we excel at producing world class research, it is now imperative to focus on development and commercialisation to realise the full impact of our efforts.”
