THE Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, has announced that applications are now open for the latest round of funding for CRCs and CRC Projects (CRC-Ps).

Mr Pyne said the funding rounds were the first held under the Government’s new CRC Programme guidelines.

“Improving collaboration between researchers and industry to cultivate a more innovative and entrepreneurial economy is a key pillar of the new National Innovation and Science Agenda – and that’s why the Government committed to opening this CRC round as part of the agenda”, Mr Pyne said.

“The new guidelines, released in December, mean that funding will be prioritised to those CRCs and CRC-Ps that are aligned with the six Industry Growth Centres and the Government’s nine Science and Research Priorities.

“However, the programme will be flexible enough to address emerging priority areas and consider proposals from other industry sectors.”

Traditional CRCs will support medium to long-term industry-led research; CRC-Ps will focus on shorter term activity with an emphasis on involving SMEs.

"The CRC programme has been successful over a long period of time in solving industry problems, and getting great Australian innovations – like the Cochlear ear implant – to market.

“We’ve placed industry at the front and centre of the CRC Programme so we can build on our strengths in high quality research to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.”

Funding rounds for CRCs (Round 18) and CRC-Ps (Round 1) open for applications on 1 February. CRC-P applications close on 17 March; CRC applications close on 31 March.

Applications that are industry-led and focused on practical outcomes are encouraged to apply.

Webinar information sessions will be held on 23 and 24 February.

Visit www.business.gov.au/crc for further information on the selection rounds and to register for the webinars.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has congratulated Kate Carnell on her appointment as Federal Government’s first Small Business Ombudsman, with the peak retail industry body throwing its full weight behind Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s decision.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said Ms Carnell’s appointment as Small Business Ombudsman is an excellent choice, and commended Mr Turnbull and Small Business Minister, Kelly Dwyer on their selection of Ms Carnell for the important post.

“On behalf of the ARA and the retail industry, I’d like to congratulate Kate Carnell and wish her all the best in her new role,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“Kate has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years in her role as CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and we look forward to continuing our relationship with her as Small Business Ombudsman.

“Kate is a staunch supporter of small business, with a wealth of experience, having owned her own pharmacy, and held CEO roles at the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Beyond Blue, and Chief Minister of the ACT, among others.

“The ARA and Australian retailers hope to continue our strong association with Kate in helping to better small business in Australia,” Mr Zimmerman said.

"The ARA would also like to thank Mark Brennan, outgoing Small Business Commissioner for his work for the small business community over the past three years."

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $284 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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VICTORIAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the appointment of Kate Carnell to the role as Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

"The Victorian Chamber congratulates Ms Kate Carnell AO on her new role as Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and welcomes her appointment to this important position," Victorian Chamber chief executive Mark Stone said.

"Ms Carnell has been a strong and effective advocate for small business in her previous role as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and we look forward to continuing to work with her to advance the interests of Victorian small business," he said.

"The establishment of the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is strongly supported by the Victorian Chamber and is in-keeping with the united chamber movement’s Small Business – Too Big to Ignore 2013 election agenda.

"This important new position gives small business a stronger voice, helping them to continue to innovate, grow their workforces and achieve further success.

"We commend the Turnbull Government on this appointment and wish Ms Carnell all the best in her new role."

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

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MORE than 60 senior business leaders and politicians will sell street magazine The Big Issue this week in a national campaign to shine a spotlight on homelessness and disadvantage.

Telstra CEO Andy Penn, PwC CEO Luke Sayers and Perpetual Managing Director and CEO Geoff Lloyd are among the high-profile cohort taking to the streets for half an hour to spruik the magazine from February 1-5.

ACTU President Ged Kearney and politicians including Premier of NSW Mike Baird, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek and Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher are also taking part in the event.

The leaders will don The Big Issue’s trademark fluoro vest at various times and locations during the week.

The initiative is part of the fourth annual International Vendor Week (February 1-7, 2016), which raises awareness for the 11,000 people who sell street papers in 35 countries around the world.

For a list of guest sellers participating in International Vendor Week 2016, please visit http://www.thebigissue.org.au/news/2016/01/18/international-vendor-week/

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