Research Australia welcomes the release of Ambitious Australia: Strategic Examination of Research and Development Final Report. The report marks a significant step toward strengthening Australia’s research, development and innovation (RD&I) system and improving national productivity.
The report, commissioned by the Australian Government and led by an independent expert panel chaired by Robyn Denholm, outlines a comprehensive reform agenda to strengthen Australia’s RD&I system.
Given that health and medical research and innovation accounts for close to a quarter of all Australian RD&I, Research Australia welcomes the inclusion of health and medical research as a key pillar of the Strategic Examination of R&D.
“The report confirms what the health and medical research and innovation sector has been saying for some time – RD&I is crucial not only to Australians’ health and wellbeing but to our nation’s economic future, boosting economic resilience, sovereign capability and productivity,” said Ms Nadia Levin, CEO of Research Australia.
Research Australia’s submission emphasised the need for a coordinated national approach to RD&I, stronger industry engagement and sustained investment across the research pipeline. These priorities are strongly reflected in the final report.
Research Australia’s submission similarly called for:
• A national, long-term strategy for research and innovation aligned with economic and societal priorities.
• Greater investment in research from discovery through to translation and commercialisation, ensuring discoveries deliver real-world benefits.
• Stronger collaboration between industry, health services, universities and research organisations. These priorities are echoed in the review’s focus on improving coordination across the R&D system, increasing industry participation and ensuring research investment delivers national impact.
“This report shows clearly the urgent need for bold reform to boost Australia’s RD&I capabilities, the real test now will be how the Australian Government responds to the review’s recommendations, Ms Levin said.
“Research Australia looks forward to working with government, industry and the research sector to ensure these recommendations translate into meaningful action and look forward to seeing the long-awaited release of the National Health and Medical Research Strategy to ensure these reforms are aligned.”
You can read Research Australia’s full submission and summary of recommendations to the Strategic Examination of R&D here.
