Biotechnology industry initiatives program released for public comment

29/10/04
State Development Minister Clive Brown today released the draft Western Australian Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program 2004.
The program will be open for public comment until November 11.
Building on the recently released State Industry Policy and ICT Industry Development Strategy, the Biotechnology Industry Initiative provides the framework for the sustained growth and development of WA's emerging biotechnology industry.
Mr Brown said the biotechnology industry would play an important role in the Government's ongoing efforts to build a stronger economy and create new jobs and opportunities.
"The Gallop Government is focussed on attracting new investment, new industries and new jobs to WA," he said.
"WA's biotech industry is world-class and innovative, with the potential for strong growth and the ability to create the jobs of tomorrow."
Mr Brown said the initiative was the result of consultation with local industry, the AusBiotech Association, Government agencies and a forum conducted with a representative group of biotechnology CEOs.
"By consulting broadly, the Government has identified that access to capital, research and development skills, managerial expertise, support for commercialisation and promotion of Australia as a source of innovation and scientific endeavour are critical to the future development of biotechnology in WA."
The 'Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program' draft document outlines these initiatives and their intended benefit to individual companies and the industry as a whole.
Initiatives include:

• support for commercialisation and business development;
• support for broadening WA's Biotechnology network; and
• increasing awareness of WA's biotechnology capabilities.

The Minister said the Government's ability to dedicate resources to the 'Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program' was only possible because of its strong financial management.
"In eight years, the Liberals had five deficits, running down the State, driving away investment and shrinking the economy," he said.
"In four years, Labor has delivered a balanced Budget in every year, without any privatisation, and because of this good management, we are able to establish job creating initiatives like the 'Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program'."
As part of the Initiatives Program, the WA Government will lead a delegation of 14 companies to the AusBiotech national biotechnology conference in Queensland in November this year.
The State has been chosen to host the 2005 conference, which will see an estimated 1,500 delegates visiting the State and will provide a unique opportunity to showcase WA's biotechnology capabilities.
"Western Australia is home to some world leading biotech companies including Clinical Cell Culture which has developed CellSpray technology for burns victims and Ozgene, an animal research laboratory supplying the global R&D market," the Minister said.
"Hopefully, our biotechnology initiatives program will see an even greater number of biotechnology companies creating new and exciting jobs here in WA."
Copies of the Biotechnology Initiatives Program have been sent to AusBiotech and members of the Western Australian biotechnology industry and associated institutions for their feedback.
The Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program 2004 is available for public comment and can be obtained from http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/businessandindustry by clicking on the industry sectors or by contacting the Department of Industry and Resources on 9222 5809.
Comments on the program are to be delivered to the Department of Industry and Resources no later than November 11, or email caspar.vandermeer@doir.wa.gov.au.
Minister's office: 9222 9699