News

Local software firms score $190m WA schools deal

Local software companies Compass and TechnologyOne will deliver the new student management system for more than 800 public schools in Western Australia in a deal worth almost $190 million...

Amazon Australia struggles to back boss’s AI claim

Amazon’s local policy leaders could not name a single use of generative AI by the company in Australia or what datasets it would be trained on, despite its global...

Education minister scraps research grant vetoes

Federal education ministers will be unable to veto research grants for reasons outside national security under a landmark change announced by Education minister Jason Clare on Tuesday. Mr Clare...

WA robotics precinct secures first major industry partner

The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct in Western Australia has secured mining tech company IMDEX as its first major industry partner. ASX-listed IMDEX has signed on to be an...

Retooling and retraining the nation for Industry 4.0

Australia has been losing manufacturing jobs and income to other countries for years, including vital industries like Holden – one of the last bastions of car manufacturing. Other industries...

‘Massive’: Govt slashes red tape for rocket launches

The federal government has relaxed a requirement that space operators use third parties when applying to obtain launch licences or permits in a move that promises to save Australian...

Defence slams the brakes on Big Four spending

The Department of Defence reduced spending with the Big Four consulting giants by an average 40 per cent in the 2022/23 financial year, the first full 12 month reporting...

Govt opens consultation on capitalising on RNA capability

The federal government is considering further support for parts of the RNA sector after helping establish the southern hemisphere’s first commercial mRNA manufacturing capability in Melbourne. The Industry department...

Business Council wants NRF narrowed

Australia’s peak business lobby group wants the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to support fewer industries and be dedicated to critical technologies as part of an overhaul of industrial...

AIIA puts weight behind proposed federal Tech Assessment Office

The Australian Information Industry Association has thrown its weight behind a backbench proposal for a Technology Assessment Office to help policymakers better understand the impact that emerging technologies could...

Australia must respond to our changed strategic circumstances

The landmark National Reconstruction Fund is a significant achievement for the Albanese government. But since it was unveiled, the goalposts have shifted dramatically and it is no longer enough....

Getting a second chance at solar manufacturing

Australia can recover from its infamous fumble of solar panel manufacturing that saw homegrown technology launch an entire industry in China. But the price of establishing domestic operations is...