NSW Department of Industry & NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer

The NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development (known as the NSW Department of Industry) leads the state government's contribution to making NSW a fertile place to invest and to produce goods and services, and thereby creating jobs and opportunities for our citizens. 

We support all areas of economic activity where NSW has competitive strengths. We also have responsibilities for skill formation and development to match industry demand, partnering with stakeholders in stewardship and sustainable use of the state's natural resources, and supporting economic growth in the regions.

The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer has two main aspects:1) to foster and encourage a lively state innovation system particularly by promoting productive links between business, the professions, universities and government2) to provide independent advice on how to address (often wicked) policy problems that involve engineering or science. Examples include coal seam gas, sea level rise, road tunnel air quality and coal dust emissions.

As NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor O'Kane consults widely with academia, industry and government to ensure knowledge and research can be adapted and used to benefit NSW.