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DFAT pumps up innovationXchange
FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop believes the Australian Government’s new National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) will boost work being done through her department’s innovationXchange collaborative economic development hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The innovationXchange, an exciting hub within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is already demonstrating how new partnerships can address development challenges in Australia’s region, including through our work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to collect health data via mobile devices,” Ms Bishop said. 
Ms Bishop said NISA would ensure Australia “is an enterprising, entrepreneurial and creative nation, capable of maximising the benefits from the economic transformation taking place in the Indo-Pacific region”.
“As part of this Agenda, the government's overseas network of more than 130 posts will promote Australia’s innovation, science and research capabilities overseas,” Ms Bishop said.
“Our diplomatic posts will connect Australian innovators with business, the Australian diaspora and the international alumni of Australian universities, including through internship placements for Australians under the New Colombo Plan.
“The Agenda commits to reviewing the Film Location Offset designed to attract major motion pictures to be produced in Australia and provide jobs in our creative industries,” she said.
“The recent decision to provide a top up to the Location Offset for two projects was instrumental in securing the agreement to produce in Australia the new Twentieth Century Fox Alien film and Disney/Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok.
“Strengthening Australia's innovation and research links globally, and connecting with international investors, will lift Australia's domestic innovation performance and help Australia maximise opportunities in the new global economy.”
The Foreign Minister said new international profile brought to Australia's innovation and science capabilities would also attract international entrepreneurs “to visit and work in Australia and enhance Australia’s economic prosperity and international competitiveness”
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