News

Govt sets challenges for $7.5m BRII round

The latest round of the federal government’s innovation challenge program for startups and small to medium business launched on Monday, offering up to $7.5 million through a staged process...

Gilmour Space secures extra $55m ahead of first launch

Queensland-based rocket maker Gilmour Space Technologies has raised an additional $55 million in capital to support ongoing development work as its first launch draws closer. Gilmour plans to use...

Industry associations invited to ‘observe’ AI Expert Group

The federal government has invited at least three industry associations to participate as ‘observers’ in the work on AI regulation being done by a newly-created Artificial Intelligence Expert Group....

Industry dept opens up on ‘secret’ quantum EoI

Almost two dozen local and international quantum firms were approached by the federal government last year as part of a private expression of interest process designed to gauge the...

Gig Guide: New innovation lead at ANU

The Australian National University’s new deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) is Professor Lachlan Blackhall, who is the current head of its battery storage and grid integration program. Professor Blackhall...

PM: ‘We can go toe-to-toe’ with Inflation Reduction Act

The Albanese government’s response to global industrial competition like the US Inflation Reduction Act looks set to include a new multi-billion-dollar package of subsidies and co-investment for renewables an...

$14m battery growth centre to be run by CRC

The Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre will be run by a cooperative research centre, with the Albanese government awarding $14 million to the WA-based Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research...

David Elliot takes on AIIA Domestic Capabilities role

The Australian Information Industry Association’s crucial Domestic Capabilities policy advisory network (PAN) has a new chair, with the election of David Elliot, the chief executive of Canberra-based tech delivery...

‘Modest’ govt R&D uptick amid calls for new plan

Federal government spending on R&D programs is expected to rise by almost $330 million this financial year, according to the latest Industry department figures, but science groups say there...

Defence scrambles to block below the line bids

Defence is still examining the “paper trail” of potential conflicts in its $515 million defence data project after its own data lead left in 2019 to join KPMG, the...

Defence tips $6m more into C2 Robotics subsea drone

Melbourne-based autonomous subsea drone developer C2 Robotics has landed a further $6 million contract from Defence to take its Speartooth vessel into rigorous real-world testing and progress tooling work...

$40m to secure Australia’s rare earths supply chain

A $40 million grants program designed to build resilience into the local critical minerals supply chain and reduce Australia’s reliance on China has been launched by the Albanese government....