AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TEAMS UP WITH ABC FOR INNOVATION

The Australian Government will work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to promote innovation in the community through the National Innovation Awareness Strategy.

The strategy is a $35million initiative of the Australian Government's highly successful Backing Australia's Ability Program.

Exciting new projects to be undertaken under the new partnership with the ABC include ACE Day Jobs, a series of thirty six, 5-minute episodes showcasing young Australians who are passionate and enthusiastic innovators and entrepreneurs. They will talk about their day-to-day work, what they love about it and what advice they would give to others who may have similar interests.

The series will be available on broadband video and via the ABC website and will also provide a valuable resource for schools as a career reference tool.

Start! is a new radio/online initiative supporting young people who have an idea that they'd like to turn into a business.

Through a completely new ABC online portal, focussed on innovation and enterprise, young people will be able to explore and seek advice on how to turn an idea into a business venture.

The NIAS will continue to support the successful and popular ABC range of science and innovation outreach activities, involving personalities like Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. These entertaining and informative events focussing on innovation and science are hosted around Australia to reach as broad an audience as possible.

The goal of NIAS is to build a culture that appreciates and rewards innovation and entrepreneurship.

The ABC has developed real expertise in science awareness and its science website is one of the most frequently visited sites of its type in the world.

This alliance makes real sense and we are delighted that the Government and the ABC will be working together to promote Australian innovation and ideas.