New South Wales Consolidated Acts

INNOVATION COUNCIL ACT 1996 - SECT 8

8 Functions of Council

(1) The Council has the following functions:

(a) to investigate issues relevant to the promotion of innovation in the private and public sectors of New South Wales,

(b) to provide an ongoing source of intelligence, information, comment and analysis to the Department, the Minister and the Government on issues relevant to the promotion of innovation in the private and public sectors of New South Wales,

(c) to facilitate the communication of information about innovation between the Government, industry and the research community,

(d) to co-operate with the Department in support of programs established by the Department, where the objects of the program are similar to the object of the Council,

(e) to promote and take part in activities and programs so as to increase the understanding in the private and public sectors of New South Wales of the importance of innovation in improving the international and interstate competitiveness of New South Wales businesses and in improving public sector efficiency in New South Wales,

(f) to provide the Minister and the Department with guidance on issues relevant to the conduct of research and development in New South Wales, having regard to their effect on public and private sector innovation in New South Wales,

(g) to advise the Minister and the Department on appropriate Government responses to trends in the provision of education and training, having regard to the impact of those trends on future levels of innovation,

(h) to advise the Minister and the Department on activities and programs that promote the demonstration and commercialisation of new technology in New South Wales and, where appropriate, to institute, or participate in the institution of, such activities or programs (in a manner consistent with the other functions of the Council),

(i) to promote activities and programs in such a way as to co-ordinate, so far as practicable, those activities and programs with any Commonwealth Government initiatives, the objects of which are similar to the object of the Council,

(j) to alert the private and public sectors of New South Wales to any new business opportunities that arise from the exploitation of technology,

(k) to advise the Minister and the Government on programs that the Government could undertake for the purpose of increasing the ability of new firms in New South Wales, in particular, small to medium size enterprises, to access technology and to manage innovation,

(l) to provide a source of independent advice to the Government in relation to applicants for Government funding under innovation-related assistance schemes administered by the Department.

(2) In the exercise of its functions, the Council must:

(a) have regard to community needs and resources, and

(b) promote innovation that increases productivity and employment opportunities.

(3) The Council’s functions may be exercised at the request of the Minister or the Director-General of the Department, or on the Council’s own initiative.

(4) In this section:
"firms" includes corporations and partnerships.