A delegation of senior French leaders from research organisations and universities is visiting Australia this week to further strengthen our science and innovation relationship with France.

The French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Ms Frédérique Vidal, is leading a delegation of 50 French experts who will formalise a total of 24 cooperative arrangements with Australian innovation and science partners.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, who met with Ms Vidal earlier this week, said international collaboration was a key mechanism to improve business and research outcomes.

“France is a key science and innovation partner for Australia and is one of our most active government-to-government relationships with a European Union Member State,” Minister Andrews said.

“France was Australia’s sixth highest scientific publication partner over 2012-2016 and Australia was France’s 11th highest collaborator over the same period.”

The delegation will meet with Australian Government representatives today in Canberra at the 2019 Australia – France Joint Science and Innovation Meeting to discuss Australia’s and France’s science and research landscape.

Topics for discussion include space and astronomy, energy and the environment as well as opportunities, challenges and barriers for the future.

The importance of international innovation and science collaboration is recognised in the Global Innovation Strategy, the key international initiative under the Liberal National Government’s $1.1 billion National Science and Innovation Agenda.

The Coalition recognises the value of science in growing the economy and creating local jobs. That’s why we’ve invested an additional $2.4 billion to grow our science, research and technology capabilities in the 2018-19 Budget.

More information on the Global Innovation Strategy is available at www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/global-innovation-strategy

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070