Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Minister for Rural Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Williams for his question. I think Senator Williams understands better than most the innovative and resilient nature of our rural and regional people. Be it the beef producers of the Northern Rivers, the horticulturalists of the Riverina or small businesses out there in the far west, Australian businesses have always had the 'have a go' mentality and have a record of being resilient and competitive in an ever-globalising economy.

That is why in December last year the Prime Minister announced the National Innovation and Science Agenda. The innovation agenda will help create the modern, dynamic, 21st-century economy that Australia needs and that those on this side of the chamber understand very well. The government announced 24 measures involving $1.1 billion of spending to create highly paid jobs and to help Australia compete globally. It will encourage every business across the country to be more innovative and entrepreneurial and to be prepared to take more risks.

Initiatives under this agenda include the Incubator Support Program, which will focus on regions and sectors of higher innovation potential and further fund regional universities. To make it easier for promising businesses to hire and retain top staff, we will make existing employee share scheme rules more user friendly. There are also new programs and support designed to boost innovative activity and help businesses, including regional businesses, to break into global markets.

This is complemented by the $30.8 million commitment in the agricultural competitiveness white paper, which has seen agricultural counsellors established in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Middle East. The Rural R&D for Profit program funds R&D projects which focus on delivering cutting-edge technologies. The coalition government are going to make sure that we look at all parts of the innovation sector to support rural and regional communities.