Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory
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*Estimates - QON No. E18-001 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES 2018-2019 Mr Andrew Wall MLA (Chair), Ms Tara Cheyne MLA (Deputy Chair), Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA QUESTION ON NOTICE Mr Alistair Coe MLA: To ask the Minister for Economic Development Ref: CMTEDD, 2018-19 Budget Paper 3, pages 88-90, 2018-19 Budget Statement B, pages 20-21, 33- 35, Output Class 3.1: Innovation, Trade and Investment In relation to: Accountability Indicators - grants 1. Why has the Government cut support for individual innovation, in particular in relation to grants? 2. Why did the Government fail to meet the accountability indicator for "Innovation Connect (Icon) successful grant applications"? 3. Further to part 2, what was the value of: a. The grants administered; b. The allocation not spent in relation to this indicator. 4. Why did the Government fail to meet the number of 1'Trade Connect grants delivered"? 5. Further to part 4, what was the value of: a. The grants administered; b. The allocation not spent in relation to this indicator. 6. Why has the 2018-19 target for "Number of international trade and investment campaigns and delegations" only increased by one? Mr Andrew Barr MLA: The answer to the Member's question is as follows:- 1. Questions 1 and 2 are answered together as they appear to relate to accountability indicator (e) Innovation Connect (Icon) successful grant applications (Outcome 12, against Target 15}. The independent Innovation Connect Assessment Panel allocated funding to 12 applications which it considered to be best placed to use grant funding to accelerate commercialisation and company development outcomes from the 61 expressions of interest received. The program is competitive in design, i.e., it is not an entitlement based program. Panel assessments are made on which applications have the best potential return on investment consistent with the program guidelines. ACT Government support for business innovation is comprehensive and in transition to an eco-system based model. For example, outside Innovation Connect the Government provides base funding of $1.25 million to the CBR Innovation Network which delivers individual innovation and entrepreneurship support through the GRIFFIN Accelerator, KILN Incubator, STIR (crowd voted grants for creative projects), Entry29 co-working space, Millhouse Social Enterprise, and Lean Startup Workshops. In 2017-18, approximately 650 small companies and emerging entrepreneurs participated in these program channels. 2. See above response to Question 1. 3. Parts below: 3a. $292,000 in grants to individual companies through Innovation Connect. 3b. The Innovation Connect indicator does not have a defined appropriation. However, the total value of grants provided within the year is managed to a ceiling internal budget allocation of $500,000. 4. The Trade Connect program was put on hold in the late 2017 as part of an internal review of the way support is provided for export development. Market development grants to individual companies were subsequently discontinued, with emphasis switched to supporting and preparing companies to participate in structured trade missions which provide a more supported and managed environment to assist companies. Partner organisations including the CBR Innovation Network, Screen Canberra and Canberra Business Chamber also deliver more individualised company-based support in the context of trade missions. Further to this, the ACT Government provided $200,000 to the Canberra Business Chamber in 2017-18 to deliver the Capacity and Capability Growth Program for ACT Exporters, which included the provision of training and mentoring services for ACT exporters to facilitate market entry, provision of international trade networking events and seminars aligned to the priorities of the International Engagement Strategy. These services are aligned to participation in key markets and trade missions. Sa. $7,289 (three Trade Connect grants were provided prior to the changes noted in 4.) Sb. The Trade Connect indicator does not have a defined appropriation. However, the total value of grants provided in previous years was managed to a ceiling internal budget allocation of $200,000. Page 2 of 3 6. This indicator has been achieving a year-end result of 3 since 2013-14. In the 2017-18 period a result of 4 was achieved, consistent with the Government's increased focus on international engagement, advice from the Commissioner for International Engagement, and a contingency for enjoined offshore mission activity with the Australian Government. Approved for circulation to the Select Committee on Estimates 2018-2019 Signature: ~£ Date:/(./. I~ By the Minister for Economic Development, Andrew Barr MLA Page 3 of 3 *Estimates - QON No. E18- 00'2 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES 2018-2019 Mr Andrew Wall MLA (Chair), Ms Tara Cheyne MLA (Deputy Chair), Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA QUESTION ON NOTICE Mr Alistair Coe MLA: To ask the Minister for Economic Development Ref: CMTEDD, 2018-19 Budget Paper 3, pages 88-90, 2018-19 Budget Statement B, pages 20-21, 33- 35, Output Class 3.1: Innovation, Trade and Investment In relation to: Accountability Indicators - major project facilitation 1. What are the two "Major projects under facilitation management" indicated in new accountability indicator "Private sector investment facilitation"? 2. Further to part 1, are these the two projects from the unsolicited bids discontinued accountability indicator? 3. Is the "Major projects under facilitation management" accountability indicator linked to the Budget initiative More jobs for our growing city- Facilitating major projects? a. If yes, please advise: i. Why is there only funding allocated for 2018-19 and 2019-20, and not across the forward estimates; ii. What the $800,000 allocated to each of the next two financial years will be spent on. Mr Andrew Barr MLA: The answer to the Member's question is as follows:- 1. The 2018/19 target reflects the existing base of work and timelines around a proposal by the University of New South Wales {UNSW} to expand its operations in the Territory with a new Campus in the City's East, and a proposal relating to the future use of Canberra Technology Park as a higher education and community precinct, including student accommodation. Other project facilitation work is also expected as projects evolve. 2. The Canberra Technology Park proposal has carried over from the discontinued accountability indicator for the 'Number of investment facilitation projects that required dedicated supported'. 3. The 'Major projects under facilitation management' accountability indicator is linked to the Budget initiative 'More Jobs for our growing city- Facilitating major projects' a. Noting that funding: i. has been provided for an initial period to focus on a small number of priority projects that require dedicated support. The ongoing need for this role will be evaluated and reviewed over the two year period; and ii. will be used for a combination of staff resourcing and the acquisition of specialist project based advice and consultancies as needed. Approved for circulation to the Select Committee on Estimates 2018-2019 Signature:~~ Date: lb• 7.1&- By the Minister for Economic Development, Andrew Barr MLA Page 2 of 2 *Estimates - QON No. E18-003 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES 2018-2019 Mr Andrew Wall MLA (Chair), Ms Tara Cheyne MLA (Deputy Chair), Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA QUESTION ON NOTICE Mr Alistair Coe MLA: To ask the Minister for Economic Development Ref: CMTEDD, 2018-19 Budget Paper 3, pages 88-90, 2018-19 Budget Statement B, pages 20-21, 33- 35, Output Class 3.1: Innovation, Trade and Investment In relation to: Accountability Indicators - Ongoing programs as accountability indicators 1. Will the Government only have to participate in ongoing programs to meet the new accountability indicators "Sector capability building"; "Support for innovation eco-system building"; and "Private sector investment facilitation"? 2. Why have the accountability indicators referenced in part 1 been implemented; and what are the specific actual results or outcomes that will be achieved? Ms Yvette Berry MLA: The answer to the Member's question is as follows:- 1. No. See below for further explanation. 2. The accountability indicators referenced in Output 3.1 reflect the work to diversify the economy through targeted sector development, innovation eco-system building and private sector investment facilitation. Within each strategy there are a broad array of sublevel activities -for example, funded programs, influencing agendas, partnership activities with other players including Australian Government agencies, and work on broader economic enablers such as human capital and international engagement. Approved for circulation to the Select Committee on Estimates 2018-2019 c__ .. Signature: --=/ ~:: > Date: r'::---- ... By the acting Minister forl:conomic ~evelopment, Yvett€ Berry MLA *Estimates - QON No. E18-004 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES 2018-2019 Mr Andrew Wall MLA (Chair), Ms Tara Cheyne MLA (Deputy Chair), Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA QUESTION ON NOTICE Mr Alistair Coe MLA: To ask the Minister for Economic Development