News

Budget Insider: Examining the 2025 policy entrails

Reading the tea leaves on tech and innovation policy ahead of federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers fourth Budget is even more hit-and-miss than usual, given the proximity of the election....

Southern Launch lands new chair in quiet funding raise

Southern Launch on Monday announced it has closed a “significant” funding round led by infrastructure investors that will allow it to build out its launch and test facilities in...

Nine EU countries align to accelerate chip industry

Nine European Union countries are working together to accelerate plans to boost the bloc’s computer chip industry and aim to present their proposals within months, one of the coalition’s...

Review backs govt VC fund for intelligence agencies

An independent review of Australia’s intelligence community has called on the Albanese government to scope a national security fund for dual-use tech that could help agencies like ASIO and...

AFP uses encryption powers to order technical assistance

Australia’s encryption-busting laws were used by federal police for the first time last year to force at least one undisclosed tech company to provide assistance, in an escalation of...

Gig Guide: NSW locks in a new privacy commissioner

New South Wales has a new privacy commissioner in Sonia Minutillo, who has led the Information and Privacy Commission NSW’s regulatory functions for the best part of a decade....

Govt plots review of FinTech sandbox as crypto plan unveiled

The Albanese government has committed to review Australia’s financial regulatory sandbox as part of a suite of reforms to regulate crypto exchanges and other digital asset platforms. The review,...

Nvidia to open quantum computing lab, CEO Huang says

Chip giant Nvidia will open a quantum computing research lab in Boston, where it plans to collaborate with scientists from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, chief...

Govt knocked back AI plan before last year’s Budget

A proposed AI investment plan put forward ahead of last year’s federal Budget was knocked back by the government at a time when other developed nations were ramping up...

Finance called on to clamp down on contracting scandals

The Finance department must start taking action to lift contract management capability across the public service, an inquiry has found after examining a string of contracting failures and scandals....

Australia’s sole silicon manufacturer backed with $40m grant

Australia’s only silicon manufacturer has received an almost $40 million grant from the federal government, securing local supply of the key input for solar panels and semiconductors. Simcoa secured...