The history of the legal foundations of modern science and technology policy in Australia

Australian legal system which deals with modern scientific and technological base began in 1949. At that time, the Advisory Council of Science and Industry was restructured into the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). CSIRO activities are regulated by the Science and Industry Research Act 1949. The Industrial Research and Development Incentives Act 1976 No. 85 was adopted by the liberal government of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (1975-1983). The main purposes of the law are, firstly, to encourage the development of an efficient, competitive and export-oriented production; secondly, to establish a branch structure which requires a minimum level of state support. John Button, Industry Minister of the Hawke cabinet, initiated major changes in the field of industrial policy legislation, reduction of customs tariffs and other forms of protectionism. Protectionism at that time was a major drag on the scientific and technological development of Australia. In 1986, two fundamental laws for industrial research and development in Australia were passed. Firstly, it was the Income Tax Assessment Amendment (Research and Development) Act 1986. Secondly, it was the Industry Research and Development Act 1986. This act is the main one in the R&D field today. The purpose of the act is the help of the government to improve the efficiency and international competitiveness of Australian industry, the promotion of research and development as well as innovation. The order of activities related to venture capital investment has been established. The 1990s-2000s is the second stage of development of the legislative framework in the field of R&D. This is a time of political change of Prime Ministers Paul Keating (1991-1996) and John Howard (1996-2007). The scientific and technological development of this period is characterized by legislative measures in the area of commercialization of scientific developments. The main legislative acts of this period include the Patents Act 1990 No. 83, the Trade Marks Act 1995 No. 119, the Designs Act 2003 No. 147. R&D in Australia is mainly concentrated in traditional industries and production, but not in the high technology industry and high technologies. Economy focuses on the sale of resources and agricultural products. Business does not seek to achieve success in the innovative development. These are the main issues that concern the Government of Australia over the past decades.

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