News

Govt weighing bug bounty to find holes in systems

A bug bounty program for security researchers and other crowdsourcing “incentives” aimed at identifying potential vulnerabilities in federal government systems are being considered to boost the cyber posture of...

Coalition holds judgement on national EV strategy

The Coalition is reserving judgement on the government’s new EV strategy, despite the plan not committing any funding and locking in only one clear policy to introduce an overdue...

Google wants copyright law changed for AI data mining

Australia’s copyright laws are stifling innovation by not affording tech companies exceptions to mine websites for information when developing artificial intelligence tools, according to Google. The position, outlined in...

Ethical hacking programs patchy across govt despite mandate

Only a handful of federal government departments and agencies with responsibilities for front-facing digital services have opened the door to security researchers to report bugs they discover in the...

Fleet Space scores first satellite deal with Defence

Nanosatellite startup Fleet Space Technologies has struck a $6.4 million contract with Australia’s nascent Space Command defence agency to develop a low-Earth orbit satellite communications system. The 16-month deal,...

EV strategy drops, fuel standards to arrive later this year

Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy will introduce fuel efficiency standards and promises new recycling initiative for electric vehicles and other large batteries, but offers no new support initiatives...

Shorten backs ‘ethical’ automation for NDIS assessments

Government Services minister Bill Shorten has called for the greater use of data and automation in National Disability Insurance Scheme assessments as long as an “ethical framework” is in...

My Health Record data sharing plans idle five years on

De-identified My Health Record data is yet to be shared with researchers and public health experts almost five years after the former federal government revealed controversial plans to source...

Govt startup bill supported but more work needed

Australia’s universities have backed legislation to introduce the government’s startup program but want flexibility in the pilot phase to iron out a range of issues with the proposal, including...

Pressure to release national quantum plan

The Opposition is demanding Industry minister Ed Husic release the National Quantum Strategy, warning its absence is creating drift and risking Australia’s “status and ability to compete” as other...