News

NSW govt stays mum on new manufacturing commissioner

New South Wales has its first Modern Manufacturing Commissioner and “wide ranging” recommendations for reforms, but neither have been released by the state government which is withholding an announcement....

Senator asks for Didi privacy probe as TikTok review begins

Australia’s privacy watchdog is considering investigating Chinese ride hailing company Didi after a request from shadow Cybersecurity minister James Patterson, who raised concerns with the company’s data practices. Similar...

OAIC resourcing inadequate as FOI burden grows: report

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is “increasingly burdened” by the weight of its freedom of information work and requires additional resourcing to fulfil its roles, according...

Govt backs proposed ‘Digital Apprenticeships’ scheme

The federal government is set to introduce a new ‘Digital Apprenticeships’ scheme that is binding on industry, with companies that sign up to commit to employing a proportion of...

Call answered: Malinauskas gets defence industry taskforce for SA

A day after demanding a national workforce plan for Australia’s increasing defence spend, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has secured a joint state and Commonwealth defence industry taskforce to...

More than 300 Aussie research spinouts up and running

There are now more than 300 active startups and spinouts based on the commercialisation of Australian research, with a record 69 added in the last year, according to the...

6,800 extra tech workers in migration cap lift

The federal government has committed to opening 6,800 extra permanent migration places for workers in the tech sector among a spate of other announcements made on the final day...

Dealing with natural disasters needs generational change of focus

It’s time for a ‘generational change’ in Australia from focusing on natural disaster response and recovery to preparation and resilience, with economic opportunities also on offer, Minderoo Foundation’s Fire...

Rediscovering wisdom in the separation of powers

There are hidden wisdoms in the old-fashioned Separation of Powers Doctrine (‘SOP Doctrine’) that could help us cleanse modern politics of its low-level corruption. The wisdom of the SOP...

Malinauskas demands plan for AUKUS workforce

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas has called on federal counterparts to help develop a national plan for the workforce needed to support the AUKUS submarine program, describing the $116...

Regional tech firms call for greater community investment

Representatives at the jobs and skills summit from tech companies based in regional Australia have called for greater investment in regional communities to support the workforce required. Tasmania-based seaweed...