The South Australian Government has unveiled a new statewide innovation model to strategically integrate the state’s burgeoning innovation regions as it prepares to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by AUKUS.
A national first, the framework, which will be developed by Lot Fourteen State Project Lead Di Dixon, will seek to capitalise on SA’s advantage in industries such as renewable energy, cyber, information warfare, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
It aims to connect innovation districts with each other, including Lot Fourteen, Tonsley and Adelaide BioMed City, as well as other manufacturing hubs such as the Osborne Naval Shipyard, the Edinburgh Defence Precinct and the future Australian Space Park.
The government said it hopes that this strategy would act as a catalyst for economic growth while fostering beneficial global knowledge exchange and cooperation.
By connecting state-wide workforce, education, and skill development programs, the framework is expected to open up new options for job growth and enable everyone to access future employment.
“This framework offers a dynamic vehicle to support state-wide job placement and enhance regional connectivity to support strategic investment, and drive new clusters of economic activity and job creation,” said Dixon.
She said that the government will harness the power of closeness and connection to fuel creativity, laying the groundwork for new and more inclusive prosperity.
Meanwhile, South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas stated that geopolitical instability, climate change, and a post-COVID economy pose global difficulties, but he added that these issues create an opportunity for a state like South Australia.
“We have the ingenuity to make significant contributions to the world’s economic future. But we need to be smart and connected,” the premier said.
He added, “A clear state-wide position bringing together all Economic Activity Zones and innovation assets under a centralised strategic vision and policy position will unlock greater value from these investments made by successive governments.”
