National Innovation and Science Agenda to secure major movie deals for Australia

The National Innovation and Science Agenda has been released.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop welcomes the release and says the Agenda will make sure that Australia, as a creative, entrepreneurial and enterprising nation, is capable of maximising the benefits from the ongoing economic transformation in the Indo-Pacific.

“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,” Bishop says in a media release. “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’.”

Bishop hails the “innovationXchange” for being an exciting hub within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is already showing how new partnerships can deal with development challenges in Australia. Health data can be collected in mobile devices with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Agenda says the federal government’s overseas network consists of more than 130 posts to promote Australia’ science, research and innovation capabilities overseas. The diplomatic posts will help Australian innovators connect with business and the Australian diaspora.

They can also get connected with the international alumni of Australian universities as there will be internship opportunities for Australians under the New Colombo Plan.

Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck and Bishop earlier announced the expansion of the New Colombo Plan. The extended list of countries now include Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

“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,” Bishop says.

“The new international profile brought to Australia's innovation and science capabilities will also attract international entrepreneurs to visit and work in Australia and enhance Australia’s economic prosperity and international competitiveness.”

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