Campaign Media Release MINISTER FOR INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH FEDERAL LABOR MEMBER FOR BRADDON
LOCAL BUSINESS GIVEN SUPPORT FOR NEW PRODUCT Sid Sidebottom MP, Labor Member for Braddon, today congratulated local company, Robert Rickard Pty Ltd, on receiving a Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) grant from the Gillard Labor Government to help market its innovative wheelchair which converts from indoor to outdoor use whilst the occupant remains in the chair. “This is a great outcome for Robert Rickard and the local region,” Mr Sidebottom said. "The funding will be used for strategic business planning, market research, intellectual property strategy, working prototype and proven technology activities.” Robert Rickard was one of 20 innovators to be offered COMET grants of up to $70,400 each, totalling over $1.4 million. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, announced the grants recently. “The Gillard Labor Government will continue to work in partnership with companies like Robert Rickard to promote innovative products into the marketplace,” Mr Sidebottom said. "This is the kind of project we need to support high-wage, high-skill jobs and fuel economic growth.” “By supporting innovation, Federal Labor is helping local businesses turn good ideas into commercial realities.” The COMET program is now closed to new applications. The Gillard Labor Government’s new initiative for providing assistance to entrepreneurs and innovators, Commercialisation Australia, is now open for business. Commercialisation Australia helps innovative companies market their
products and services. Researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms looking for assistance to commercialise their ideas should visit www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au or contact 13 22 56. Further information on assistance measures delivered by AusIndustry can be obtained by calling the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or visiting www.ausindustry.gov.au. COMMUNICATIONS UNIT: Phone: (02) 9384 2220 | Fax: (02) 9264 2213 www.alp.org.au AUTHORISED N.MARTIN for the ALP, 5, 9 Sydney Ave. Barton ACT.