SPEAKER BIO

Clare grew up in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. After she finished school, Clare studied Law at Monash University in Clayton. While she was at university, Clare was elected to the City of Greater Dandenong Council and a year later she became mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong. After gra...
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In this episode, Phaedon is joined by Clare O’Neil MP, the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work and Federal Member for Hotham, Victoria. We don’t often feature politicians on the podcast but we believe that it is important to understand the view of government and how government policies impact the startup ecosystem. Clare speaks with candor and openness on the changes she wants to see in the future of politics.

To start, Clare talks about her background, including her path to politics (starting when she joined the Labour party at 16!), what it was like growing up with entrepreneurial book publishing parents and how her experience working in the private sector shapes her outlook as the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work. She also shares her views on the role of government and her advice for anyone considering a career in politics.

After Clare covers her personal journey, the conversation shifts to the startup ecosystem. Phaedon and Clare discuss:

  • Clare’s ideas for nurturing the startup ecosystem, such as a more strategic approach to technology from government, amendments to the R&D Tax Incentive Program, and improved immigration and education programs to attract and nurture essential tech skills
  • How to amp up Australian angel investing
  • Whether the attitude towards failure is changing in Australia

Check out The Long View, Clare’s podcast and her book Two Futures.

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