Still no word on who will Chair the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre.
A spokesperson for the Department of Industry and Science told BiotechDispatch that consideration of a prospective Chair is ongoing with a decision expected to be announced soon.
The Government announced the creation of five Industry Growth Centres last year as a centrepiece of its Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda.
They have been tasked with addressing barriers to growth in the identified areas by: overseeing the development and implementation of a 'roadmap' to lift sector competitiveness; providing advice to Government on how to reduce regulatory burdens; and, developing an annual list of industry knowledge priorities to help inform the research sector of industry needs and commercialisation opportunities.
Chairs have been appointed to three of the five, including for Advanced manufacturing (Andrew Stevens), Food and agribusiness (Peter Schutz), and Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (Elizabeth Lewis-Gray).
Oil, Gas and Energy Resources also does not have a Chair.
According to the Industry Growth Centre website, the Chairs are intended to be "respected industry leaders who will use their vast experience and expertise to bring industry, research and government together to develop practical pathways to grow their sectors, boost productivity, reduce the regulatory burden and create jobs."
The Chairs will work with contracted facilitators to engage stakeholders, develop and refine Growth Centre proposals, negotiate contractual arrangements and establish the Growth Centres.
The Government has allocated $188.5 million to fund the Industry Growth Centre initiative.