Israel tech partnership refuelled
AFTER an eight-month closure of the Victoria–Israel Science Innovation and Technology Scheme (VISITS) by former Innovation Minister Adem Somyurek, the Victorian government has bowed to the Coalition’s calls to reopen the $2 million innovation partnership between Victoria and Israel.
AFTER an eight-month closure of the Victoria–Israel Science Innovation and Technology Scheme (VISITS) by former Innovation Minister Adem Somyurek, the Victorian government has bowed to the Coalition’s calls to reopen the $2 million innovation partnership between Victoria and Israel.
Caulfield MP David Southwick, who is Shadow Minister for Innovation, had called on Premier Daniel Andrews to reinstate and support the former Coalition government program in an adjournment made in the Victorian Parliament on April 16.
“As a result, the Premier today confirmed it is now the government’s intention to renew VISITS,” Southwick said on July 30.
VISITS was created from the VISTECH program after a review led by Southwick during the former Coalition government in 2012, but the scheme did not survive long after Labor came to power.
The program was placed on hold by Somyurek, who froze all applications under it, as one of his first actions as minister.
Somyurek was sacked as a minister last week as a result of unrelated allegations concerning a bullying scandal in his office.
Southwick said he was pleased that “after eight months of inaction … Labor has relented” on VISITS.
“It is important that there is bipartisan support for the VISITS program to build on the former Coalition government’s progress. VISITS supports jobs, innovation and trade – let’s hope the next Innovation Minister gets the memo,” he said.
PETER KOHN
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