Shadow Innovation Minister Kim Carr has flagged plans to exempt start-ups from the research and development incentive claw backs, which shocked the sector late last year, if Labor wins government, but warned the local tech sector it must stop "talking down" to society if it wants to win back broader political support.

In a wide-ranging interview to discuss issues related to the national innovation agenda, Senator Carr, who also holds the Industry, Science and Research portfolios, said Labor would avoid the Turnbull-era mistake of scaring citizens with talk of disruption, and put the spotlight on innovation in traditional industries.