Notification of Revocation of the Clean Technology Innovation Committee

Overview

The Industry Research and Development Act 1986 was enacted to facilitate and encourage research and development activities in Australian industries, aiming to enhance productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. The Act established mechanisms to support research and development efforts, including the creation of committees and bodies to oversee specific areas of innovation. However, in 2013, the Commonwealth of Australia, through the Minister for Industry, Ian Elgin Macfarlane, identified the need to streamline and refocus the activities of Innovation Australia. As part of this process, the Clean Technology Innovation Committee was revoked under subsection 22(1) of the Act, effective from 25 November 2013. The revocation was intended to align the structure of Innovation Australia with the evolving needs and priorities of the Australian industry, ensuring that resources and efforts are directed towards areas that offer the greatest potential for growth and innovation.

Scope and Application

The Industry Research and Development Act 1986 applies to entities engaged in research and development activities within Australia, encompassing various sectors and industries that seek to foster innovation and technological advancement. This Act provides the framework for the establishment of committees and mechanisms to support research and development initiatives, including the creation of the Clean Technology Innovation Committee within Innovation Australia. However, effective from 25 November 2013, the Clean Technology Innovation Committee has been revoked by the Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, pursuant to subsection 22(1) of the Act. The revocation impacts the entities previously associated with the committee, potentially altering the structure and focus of research and development efforts within the clean technology sector. The geographic reach of the Act is nationwide, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and its revocation through ministerial action exemplifies how the scope and application of the Act can be dynamically adjusted to meet changing policy objectives and priorities.

Key Provisions

The primary operative section of this legislation is the revocation of the Clean Technology Innovation Committee of Innovation Australia, as outlined in subsection 22(1) of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986 (section 1). This section effectively removes the committee from its previous role, which was likely to assess and provide recommendations on clean technology innovation projects. The revocation took effect from 25 November 2013, as stated in the gazette (section 2). This change means that any functions, powers, or responsibilities previously held by the Clean Technology Innovation Committee are no longer valid as of that date. The Act imposes specific obligations on entities and parties affected by the revocation of the committee. These obligations include ensuring that any projects or initiatives that were previously under the purview of the Clean Technology Innovation Committee are now assessed or managed under different provisions within the Act, or by other relevant authorities (section 3). Entities involved in clean technology innovation must adapt to this change by either seeking new forms of assessment or finding alternative avenues for funding and support. The revocation might also necessitate a review of existing agreements or contracts that were tied to the committee's functions, to ensure compliance with the new legislative framework. In terms of potential consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or specific civil or criminal consequences related to the revocation itself. However, failing to comply with the new legislative requirements that arise from this revocation could result in penalties under other sections of the Act or related legislation (section 4). For example, if a party continues to operate under the assumption that the committee still exists and fails to seek appropriate new approvals or assessments, they might face penalties for non-compliance with industry standards or other regulatory frameworks. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the relevant sections of the Act or other applicable laws.