RDC Publications
Submission to the Review of the National Innovation System
On 22 January 2008, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, announced a wide ranging review of Australia's national innovation system to be conducted by an expert panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler.
As significant participants in the Innovation System, the CRRDCC made a submission to the Review on behalf of all RDCs.
The submission notes that collectively the 15 RDCs purchase in the vicinity of $500 million of R&D services each year making the organisations key components of the national innovation system.
The submission also observes that the CRRDCC, as a peak forum for the collective, maintain a level of R&D capacity that can be called on to provide leadership on issues of national importance. The most recent example of this is their support of the National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CCRSPI).
Download: CRRDCC Submission to the National Innovation System Review
Agriculture, forestry and emissions trading: how do we participate?
On 10 December 2006, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a joint government-business Task Group on Emissions Trading. In response to this, a number of Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), collaborated on an Issues Paper addressing research needs to support the participation of the Agriculture and Forestry sectors in any emissions trading scheme.
The final signatories to the Issues Paper are: APL, CRDC, FWPRDC, GRDC, LWA, MLA, and SRDC, as well as Horticulture Australia Council.
On 2 May, 2007, the Issues Paper was forwarded to the Task Group for their consideration. It will also inform further discussions between RDCs and other partners on collaborative research opportunities.
Download the covering letter from LWA Executive Director Dr Michael Robinson to Dr Peter Shergold, Chair of the Task Group on Emissions Trading here
Download the EFT Issues Paper here
RDCs Increase Collaboration
A number of areas of potential new collaboration have been identified by the rural RDCs.
Late last year RDC CEOs attended a workshop to determine if collaboration between the RDCs was optimal. One of the outcomes was a list of R&D topics of common interest that would form the basis of further investigation.
Download Increasing effectiveness and efficiency of RDC investments through collaboration – A Report on current and future RDC collaboration
Response to the Draft Productivity Commission report, December 2006
In November 2006 the Productivity Commission released the first draft of its report into Public Support for Science and Innovation.
ACIL Tasman, on behalf of the CRRDCC, submitted the following response for consideration by the Productivity Commission before releasing the final report.
The response provides evidence of the current model of co-investment between the Australian Government and the levy payers allowing for greater additionality and spillover benefits from Rural R&D.
Download: Response to the Productivity Commission Draft Science and Innovation Report
Submission to the Productivity Commission, September 2006
In 2006 the Productivity Commission undertook a study into the economic, social and environmental returns on public support for science and innovation in Australia.
The submission from the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations' Chairs was prepared by ACIL Tasman.
Download: Rural RDC Corporations' submission to the Productivity Commission
Report on the Benefits of Rural R&D, September 2006
The Council of Rural Research and Development Corporation Chairs is increasing its focus on measuring and reporting the returns from rural research and development (R&D). The booklet 'The Benefits of Rural R&D' outlines some estimates of current benefits of rural R&D and the approach the Council is taking to further value the results of rural R&D.
Download: The Benefits of Rural R&D
