‘Vegemite economy’ spreads innovation investment too thin


Brandon How
Reporter

Australia can only retain its competitive advantages in innovative technologies like quantum and photonics if the nation specialises and scales its priority sectors, according to chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley.

Speaking at the launch of InnovationAus.com’s Capability Papers on Thursday, Dr Foley said that “Australia has to remember it is a small country with 0.3 per cent of the world’s population… so we can only do so much”.

As such, she re-emphasised the importance of prioritising investment in areas of comparative advantage where there is already strong research and development like quantum, plasmas, and photonics or industries that leverage Australia’s natural resources.

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