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Premier's Science and Innovation Council
Premier's Science and Innovation Council
The Premier's Science and Innovation Council is the Government’s peak advisory body on the strategic direction of science initiatives for the State, so ensuring maximum benefits to the Western Australian community and industry.
Introduction
In April 2007, the Premier of Western Australia (WA) announced the formation of the Premier’s Science and Innovation Council (PSIC).
The creation of PSIC will increase the profile and recognition of the contribution of science and innovation to Western Australia (WA). It is seen as a significant mechanism for positioning science and innovation as one of the key drivers of the State’s economy.
Membership
The Council, chaired by WA's Chief Scientist, Professor Lyn Beazley comprises 12 eminent professionals across a broad range of sectors including health, resources, environment, biology and education.
A list of members (external link), including individual profiles, is available on the ScienceNetwork WA website.
Terms of Reference
The PSIC will:
- Oversee the pursuit of the four key across-government objectives of the InnovateWA policy. These objectives are to raise awareness of innovation as a driver of economic and technological change; strengthen and improve the education and research capacity of the State; maximise the commercialisation of ideas by building links between industry and research; generate more jobs and expand the export potential of the State
- Coordinate WA’s lobbying efforts in relation to national research issues
- Strengthen collaborative links between researchers and industry
- Build strategic alliances with other States and countries to access technologies and capture a greater share of international science and technology markets
- Provide leadership for new initiatives including those new initiatives recommended by PSIC
- Assist the overall sustainability goals of the State by facilitating innovation in the simultaneous achievement of environmental and economic improvement and quality of life for all as part of the new economy
Governance
The Department of Industry and Resources provides secretariat support to the PSIC, which meets approximately four times per year.
The Council will establish a number of working groups involving subsets of its members and external members as required. The working groups undertake detailed analysis and development work in specific areas or undertake specific tasks (for example the assessment of funding proposals). The full PSIC will consider working group recommendations along with other business at its quarterly meetings.
Council decisions regarding expenditure or policy direction are formed into recommendations and provided to the Minister for Innovation and Science for final decision.
