Context
Australia’s robotics and automation technology sector is growing rapidly. The Australian Government recognises the need to coordinate and collaborate on robotics technology activities nationally to facilitate the growth of the sector.
Purpose
The purpose of the committee is to provide expert strategic advice to assist with the development of the National Robotics Strategy (the strategy).
Membership
The committee includes a diverse range of individuals with technical expertise and industry experience relating to robotics and automation, perspectives on diversity and inclusion, ethics and social impact, and experience addressing skills, investment, and adoption.
The committee will be chaired by Professor Bronwyn Fox.
Role and function
The role of the committee is to:
- provide strategic guidance, support and high-level oversight to assist our department to develop the strategy
- provide advice on priority areas of focus for the strategy
- provide insights on the domestic robotics industry and international approaches to robotics development and adoption
- provide advice on any existing or previous government programs and support available for the robotics industry
- provide advice on robotics development and uptake in Australia and internationally
- provide advice to assist with strategic level issues and risks that may be presented throughout the development of the strategy
- provide insight and context on the findings from department-led consultations
- use influence and authority to assist in achieving the outcomes of the strategy
- review and provide endorsement of key activity deliverables
- support public consultation, where possible.
Term
The committee will operate until the completion of the strategy, currently expected to be March 2023, at which time our department – in consultation with the Minister for Industry and Science – will review the membership, progress and purpose and make recommendations about the future of the committee.
Meetings
- The frequency and timing of committee meetings will be determined according to the Committee Work Plan to be agreed by the committee. However as a guide, meetings will not be on a set schedule, but rather be set according to the deliverables of the strategy and the committee. Meetings will be held virtually or in-person in Canberra or Sydney.
- The chair may call additional meetings with suitable notice and on an as needed basis.
- At the discretion of the chair, the committee can request guest speakers to join meetings.
- Any commercial in confidence material should be clearly identified and will not be published.
- Our department will provide secretariat support to the committee. This will include support in setting up stakeholder meetings and events and researching and compiling supporting materials.
Deliverables
- Insights and other products obtained through these meetings inform the strategy.
- Further deliverables will be determined according to the Committee Work Plan.
Media requests
If committee members are contacted by media regarding their involvement in this committee or the strategy we request they refer media enquiries to the chair or our department’s media team via media@industry.gov.au or phone 02 6213 6308 (transfers to 0417 329 522 outside business hours).
Amendment, modification or variation
The terms of reference may be amended, modified or varied at any time by consensus.
Conflict of interest
Members of the committee must comply with our department’s Conflict of Interest Policy and sign the Conflict of Interest Declaration and Acknowledgement laid out in the letter of offer.
Duties of members
Members of the committee must comply with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and act in accordance with the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct.
Members are also expected to comply with all relevant legislation of the Commonwealth or of any state, territory or local authority. This includes the Crimes Act 1914, Privacy Act 1988, Racial Discrimination Act 1975, Sex Discrimination Act 1984, and Disability Discrimination Act 1992.