“Clever country” program turns 18

13 Mar 09

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program, set up by the Hawke Labor government to cultivate a “clever country”, celebrates its eighteenth birthday today.

The number of cooperative research centres has grown to 50 from 15 at the start of the program, which drives collaborative research between universities, industry and government. The centres cover fields ranging from climatology through agricultural science to Aboriginal health.

Former prime minister Bob Hawke announced the selection of the first 15 CRCs in his ministerial statement, “Building a competitive Australia”, on March 12, 1991.

“During the last election campaign I said Australia needed to become a clever country,” he said. “The centrepiece of my commitment to that goal was the creation of a network of cooperative research centres ... These centres would draw together outstanding research groups to provide new drive to our national research effort.”

Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr has described the program as “extraordinarily successful”, with the Australian Government committing almost $3 billion to establish 168 centres.

“CRCs have also produced over 4,650 industry-ready postgraduates, including over 2,460 graduates with PhDs,” he said.

CRC Association CEO, Michael Hartmann, said: “The CRC program has passed through adolescence into adulthood. Following the O’Kane Review in 2008, the program has been reinvigorated and firmly established as a cornerstone of Australia’s national innovation system.”

For further information contact:    
Michael Hartmann, Chief Executive Officer CRC Association    
Ph 0438 081 968

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