September 20, 2015
The Group of Eight (Go8) considers the new Federal portfolio of Industry, Innovation and Science to be led by former Education Minister Christopher Pyne to be an inspired choice by Prime Minister Turnbull.
“In the years we have worked closely with Minister Pyne his commitment to innovation for the benefit of the nation has been to the forefront,” says Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson. “We are particularly pleased he will be managing the Prime Minister’s determination to increase the collaboration between Universities and business.”
Ms Thomson said the Go8, as the nation’s leading research intensive universities, was particularly concerned that the critical nexus between universities’ research and business was advanced quickly.
“As the Prime Minister has alluded to it is unacceptable that we have the second lowest collaboration of the OECD. Australia cannot advance its productivity as it needs to from that position.
“We look forward to continuing to work productively with Minister Pyne in his new role to reach our common goal of innovation and science being seen as two of the most important drivers of our economy into the future.”
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155
