R&D policy needs better coordination, South Australia told

Report highlights weaknesses in state’s research strategy

South Australia needs to boost its R&D capacity to kick-start a stagnant economy, according to a draft report from the state’s Productivity Commission.

The state lacks a framework to match research to the needs of industry, venture capital appears to be shunning the state and government policies mean that “opportunities are foregone”, the report says. The commission’s proposals include appointing a minister for R&D, an independent advisory body or a high-level group of officials responsible for R&D policy in the state.