News

Ivan Power named inaugural NRF chief executive

Former Macquarie Group executive Ivan Power has been named the inaugural chief executive of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. Mr Power, who has nearly 25 years’ experience in finance,...

Govt’s ‘secret’ quantum EoI blocked from release

The federal government has refused to release documentation about its secret expression of interest process conducted with quantum computing companies, but in doing so has confirmed that the process...

Focus AI regulation on harms, not tech: Jones

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has thrown his support behind an AI regulation model that is directed at activity and harms rather than the technology itself, as the government starts...

Tech giants, unis meet to discuss NSW digital strategy

Representatives from the biggest technology companies and leading universities convened in Sydney on Wednesday to discuss New South Wales’ next blueprint for digital services. Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, SAP...

Steelmakers share $200m in decarbonisation grants

Steel makers Bluescope and Liberty Steel Australia on Wednesday shared $200 million in federal grants from the debut of the Albanese Government’s $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund, with...

$5.6m for Aust-NZ space projects

Kiwi researchers will begin working with the Adelaide-based SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre on collaborative space projects following a AU$5.6 million commitment from the New Zealand government. The funding, which...

Aust-US data access deal comes into effect

American and Australian law enforcement can now more easily access data stored in each other’s jurisdiction after a landmark bilateral agreement came into effect more than two years after...

Quantum leaders to gather in Sydney

Australia’s quantum researchers are attracting global attention, as evidenced by the line-up for Quantum Australia — a conference that has established itself as the country’s leading quantum industry event. ...

Govt green-lights Townsville hydrogen hub

Australian renewables developer Edify Energy has been awarded a $48.2 million grant to develop the Townsville Green Hydrogen Hub, the final hub expected to receive funding under the Regional...

Red flags or not, AI regulation must look to the future

The federal government’s recently released interim response to regulating artificial intelligence is (understandably) short on detail, but appears to say all the right things in an attempt to balance...

Foreign vendor ‘dependence’ risking Aussie AI opportunity

Universities are calling for a National Centre for AI in education to share best practice and costly infrastructure, warning researchers and educators are currently reliant on foreign vendors and...

Australia ranked fifth in global digital government survey

Australia has placed fifth out of 38 countries in a global ranking of digital governments, placing above Estonia and snapping at the heels of other advanced economies like Norway and...

ASCA spends $1.2m on 11 aerial drone prototypes

The Defence department’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator has signed contracts worth $1.21 million for the delivery of 11 different prototype drones as its first innovation incubation challenge moves to...