I've been analysing Australia's innovation policy and discovered something striking: the Administrative Arrangements Order (which allocates government responsibilities) doesn't mention "innovation" anywhere. Departments are assigned responsibility for research, science, and technology, but no department is given responsibility for innovation itself. This helps explain why we keep cycling through reviews, Ministerial statements, and "renewed" strategies without delivering tran

In today’s constrained fiscal environment, governments are rightly asking hard questions. Why should public funds support innovation districts and precincts unless there is clear evidence of productivity uplift, industry renewal, or public benefit? This Insight explores the economic, industrial, and civic value of innovation ecosystems. It argues for a shift in focus—from short-term outputs to long-term productivity gains. It also offers a practical framework for measuring wh

Australia's Future Made in Australia strategy risks building the factories of tomorrow while outsourcing their digital brains. This new Innovation Insight argues that Computer and Information Services (CIS)—including software, AI, and cloud platforms—must be recognised as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought. This Insight proposes a dedicated Digital Enablement stream into the FiMA National Interest Framework. Without this, we risk building yesterday’s industries wit

John H. Howard, 1 April 2025 Innovation ecosystems are critical for economic resilience and long-term growth. Cities worldwide are...

This is the first of a series on what makes good public policy. Further Insights will be published weekly on Tuesdays. Other Innovation...

Imagine an Australia where innovation flourishes: industry makes bold R&D investments, universities collaborate, and Government is a partner

Australia has research excellence—now it's time to strengthen innovation ecosystems, financing, and pathways to adoption, application & use.

Urban Innovation Districts represent a fundamental shift in how cities leverage knowledge, technology, and people to drive economic growth.

John H. Howard, 11 February 2025 The transformation of regional economies through innovation presents one of the most compelling...

Gavin Keeley and Dalene Wray*, 6 February 2025 The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Moreton Bay-Sunshine Coast region presents one of...

The Port of Newcastle's evolution from a coal export hub to a diversified maritime gateway exemplifies how legacy infrastructure can adapt.

As innovation takes centre stage in national economic strategy, the governance of knowledge-intensive ecosystems is a major policy challege.

Australia has achieved remarkable success in consumer-facing applications. But it faces a crucial challenge developing platform technologies

John H Howard, 5 November 2024* The passage of the US CHIPS and Science Act  in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s pursuit of...

The Review is an opportunity to reshape Australia's research system, aiming for a coherent, future-facing model that boosts investment.

The Science, Research and Innovation budget tables, released on 18 October, deliver a keen insight into the government’s investment in R&D.

Australia's future prosperity hinges on its ability to understand and foster all forms of innovation, not just high-tech.

University rankings have become something of an obsession, with institutions fixated on where they stand in the latest league tables.

R&D scorecards are vital tools for policymakers. The IRDB last published a scoreboard in 1997. This left a gap in our understanding of R&D.

Business investment in R&D collapsed during the GFC in 2008 and did not recover. This calls for policy responses and business commitment.