The knowledge tree: CSIRO in Australia’s innovation systems

This special issue of IMPP is devoted to presentation and consideration of the important aspects of CSIRO's roles in Australia's innovation systems. The recent Productivity Commission review of public support for science and innovation in Australia included CSIRO in its review but only briefly considered the nature of the context in which CSIRO operates. The review was broadly favourable to the Organisation as it has altered over the last few years, although it made no judgement on the level of funding appropriate to enabling CSIRO to maximise its contribution to innovation in Australia. The recent Budget, however, was more sympathetic to CSIRO; on the one hand it increased the funding cycle to four years and on the other allocated a significant increase in real terms and provided extra for the Flagships.