By Brendan Rees
A City of Casey councillor has welcomed a State Opposition announcement to create a position of a Victorian Chief Innovation Officer to drive growth opportunities in key industries throughout regional Victoria.
In a bid to “jump start innovation” the Liberal Nationals have pledged to appoint an industry leader who would drive innovation in Victoria through a collaborative and commercialisation focused approach – if elected to power at the state Election.
Shadow Minister for Innovation, David Southwick said the officer would be responsible for driving commercialisation through collaboration and contribute towards a “strong, diversified Victorian economy.”
“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will embrace innovation to drive new jobs and opportunity throughout regional Victoria,” he said.
Casey Councillor Sam Aziz said the position would be “a great step forward” given the City of Casey’s ambition was to be Australia’s most liveable city, underpinned by a thriving economy and a committed and future focused council.
“Certainly in terms of the innovation aspect it’s a massive growth opportunity because innovation is the key to the future in my view,” Cr Aziz said.
“Without innovation we don’t take advantage of the evolving aspects of the economy and the digitalisation and everything else that is happening in tune with modernisation and so on.
“We need innovation and we need someone centrally coordinating that over the fastest growing places in Australia,” he said.
Mr Aziz added during a recent study tour of Australia in participated with Casey Council, he was impressed with the Queensland Government achieving “amazing results” by appointing a chief entrepreneur position who is responsible for driving innovation and technology.
The Coalition has said the Chief Innovation Officer would have broad responsibilities to oversee and implement a range of innovation policies and act as a genuine bridge between university, industry and business.
Mr Southwick said the position would support the Liberal Nationals plan for a decentralised Victoria by focusing on growth opportunities in key industries throughout regional Victoria.
This approach would leverage off existing business and university networks and underpin the development of skilled jobs in regional Victoria, he said.
