Page 3045 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 16 September 2015

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These are, indeed, figures based on data from the R&D tax incentive, a program for business innovation which does not include R&D carried out in the higher education and research institutions. In his first few hours in office Prime Minister Turnbull has spoken about a new approach to economic development in Australia, and that is needed. Everything the ACT government has done in recent times—reducing red tape, reforming our tax system, creating competitive advantages for business—is simply a vehicle to make Canberra a city of internationally tradeable services, and that is where the future lies.

In contrast the commonwealth’s current industry growth centre program has too narrow a focus on large industry. Whilst it is understandable that these industries need to adapt—

Mr Hanson: Labor parties prefer the Liberal Prime Minister.

MR BARR: You don’t, Mr Hanson. You’re an Abbott fan.

MADAM SPEAKER: Order!

MR BARR: Whilst it is understandable that these industries need to adapt to changed economic circumstances there also needs to be a focus on the new industries of the 21st century—industries such as the space industry which is, worldwide, worth over $349 billion annually and in which Canberra has a comparative advantage, or industries that will power the future such as renewable energy where, again, Canberra has taken a lead.

If the new Prime Minister wants to see a 21st century economy, one that excels in innovation and entrepreneurship and one that recognises that knowledge is the key to future economic growth, then I would ask him to have a look at what we are achieving here in Canberra and the policies that have been put in place to continue the diversification and growth of Canberra’s economy.

Confident & business ready commits us to focusing on economic development in our relationship with the higher education and research sectors. In this context it was very pleasing to see the QS world university rankings validating this ACT government commitment. The ANU is now rated the equal 19th best university in the world, up from 25 last year, and puts the university in a similar category to universities such as Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge.

The University of Canberra has also risen substantially in the rankings and now occupies a space in the band between 550 and 600. This is up 100 places from its former position and puts the University of Canberra in the top five per cent of universities in the world, demonstrating that the government’s approach to support our university sector is paying dividends and that Canberra truly is Australia’s higher education and research capital.

I note the interjections from the opposition who again opposed and have actively opposed every element of the government’s agenda to advance our higher education sector. They do it federally, and they do it—


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