The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is collaborating with Australian transport, freight, logistics, engineering and research organisations to advocate for the Federal Government to recognise transport as a seventh national innovation pillar.

The recommendation comes as the Government develops its response to the Ambitious Australia: Strategic Examination of Research and Development report.

Australasian Railway Association Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the omission of transport from the proposed national innovation framework risks overlooking one of Australia’s biggest opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen sovereign capability and generate greater returns from major public infrastructure investment.

“Transport is fundamental to the way our economy works, but it has not received the national research and innovation focus it deserves,” Ms Wilkie said.

“The sector directly contributes 4.5 per cent of Australia’s GDP and employs around 726,000 Australians.

“Australia is investing heavily in new transport infrastructure, with a $129 billion pipeline over the next five years.

“There is a huge risk of missing out on real productivity gains if transport is not included in a new national innovation framework.”

Ms Wilkie said transport sector organisations supporting the move highlighted the need for a nationally coordinated, multimodal approach that considered the increasingly interdependent nature of our transport networks.

“A national innovation pillar would give government, industry and researchers a stronger framework to work together on priorities such as interoperability, digitalisation, automation, construction productivity, sustainable technologies and asset performance,” Ms Wilkie said.

Analysis by iMOVE estimates that restoring transport multifactor productivity to its 2012–13 level could leave Australian GDP approximately $14.6 billion higher in 2040.

Ms Wilkie said a national innovation pillar would bring together the already substantial capability that exists across Australia.

“We need greater coordination and a sustained national focus to allow successful ideas to be developed and implemented at scale,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Recognising transport as a national innovation pillar would provide that focus and help ensure innovation translates into better productivity, stronger Australian capability and improved outcomes for communities and businesses.”

ENDS