Queensland's bright ideas draw $3.2M in R&D funding

An underground tunnelling system for use in mines, a portable device that records bad driving habits and a new treatment for skin disorders are examples of the innovative Queensland projects to be offered funding in the latest round of the Federal Government's R&D program.

The Federal Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, announced that five Queensland companies have been successful in the highly-competitive research and development program.

"This program is so competitive, only about half the applicants make the grade for funding. These five Queensland recipients are being offered a total of more than $3.2 million which will help each of them move their projects from the concept to the proof stage," he said.

In the first round of R&D Start for 2003, 29 companies around the country have been offered a total of almost $26.5 million.