News

Defence ICT strategy underpins sovereign tech capability

Recently I wrote an article for InnovationAus in their Innovation Papers series, titled ‘A Minister for ICT Capability would secure sovereign needs’. Since then, Defence has released its ICT...

Home Affairs revives facial recognition plan for airports

A plan to introduce facial recognition SmartGates in the arrivals halls of Australia’s international airports has been revived, but the federal government will now adopt a two-step system that...

Bragg pushes govt on crypto reforms

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg will introduce a private member’s bill to regulate cryptocurrency, warning the government is neglecting the groundwork of the last Parliament as more than a million...

Calls for 10-year manufacturing strategy in Victoria

A 10-year Victorian Manufacturing Strategy and a $500 million credit scheme for manufacturing, sustainability, and high-tech businesses are among the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s recommendations ahead of...

Lockheed Martin lands $1.18 billion deal to boost GPS accuracy

US defence giant Lockheed Martin will bring decimetre accuracy to satellite positioning in Australia and New Zealand after securing a $1.18 billion contract to deliver the South Hemisphere’s first...

Former Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown sacked

Amy Brown, the inaugural boss of Investment NSW embroiled in the controversial appointment of John Barilaro to a plum US trade job, has been sacked. The head of the...

Aussie firms target US battery market opportunities

As the Commonwealth government begins its push to establish battery manufacturing in Australia, it will have to compete with attractive incentives available in the United States, according to some...

Gig Guide: ABS CIO takes federal tech leadership role

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is seeking a new chief information officer as incumbent Steve Hamilton departs for an undisclosed “senior technology leadership role within federal government”, according to...

Tech coordination needed to support decarbonisation: Thodey

A more collaborative approach to innovation is needed to enable the supply of technology that is required to meet Australia’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target, business leader and...

$85m awarded to early career researchers

200 early career researchers have been awarded a combined $85 million in federal funding for projects starting next year, with advanced manufacturing, health and the environment the most successful...

Contractors surge at Defence amid workforce pressures

The number of external contractors working at the Department of Defence has grown by 55 per cent since the start of the pandemic, as the ongoing skills shortage takes...

$50m govt plan to build up AdBlue supplies

The federal government has committed nearly $50 million to rebuilding the domestic supply of diesel exhaust fluid with a national stockpile and a new grants program after Australia almost...