Seventy governments, 12 intergovernmental organisations, and 39 non governmental organisations participating in Forum VI of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) in Dakar, Senegal last week adopted a statement on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials that explicitly backed use of the precautionary principle.

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has released the Review of Australia’s National Innovation System. Far from being a turning point for the future of innovation in Australia, as he has claimed it to be, it is more of the same old fare. While the report claims to support thinking outside the square and highlights the need for researchers, businesses, workers and governments to come together to play their part in Australia’s innovation system, the recommendations do not reflect this desire.