News

Amazon workers sacked for talking to union: TWU

The transport union has claimed Amazon delivery drivers were sacked after they spoke with union officials during a site visit to check on worker safety, and that at a...

Net-zero challenge needs both a tech and political fix

The Net Zero Australia study announced by Melbourne University fills one of the missing links in Australian emissions reduction and energy policy. Despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s false dichotomy...

PM can’t miss his G7 ransomware opportunity

Last week ransomware became a literal barbeque stopper when JBS Foods, Australia’s largest meat processor, was paralysed by a ransomware attack mounted by Russian cybercriminals. All beef and lamb...

‘Shameful chapter’: Judge blasts robodebt scheme

The federal government’s robodebt scheme was a “massive failure in public administration”, according to the Federal Court judge who has approved a $112 million settlement over the “unlawful” program....

Accenture lands $7m govt deal for vaccine data work

The federal government will pay Accenture a further $7 million to make “modest enhancements” to its vaccine ordering system, after the global consulting giant was paid $8 million to...

Qld unveils $2b renewables and hydrogen boost

The Queensland government has announced a $2 billion renewables and hydrogen fund, quadrupling its previous clean energy commitment in a bid to attract more industries to the state and...

Data61 cuts put spotlight on research priorities

Australia needs to be more accepting of changes in strategies and willing to let go of “sacred cow” research areas, following news Data61 will be cutting up to 70...

Govt unveils digital ID private sector expansion plans

The government has released more details on its plan to expand its digital identity scheme to the private sector and the states, as it pushes to significantly accelerate the...

Govt to mandate Essential Eight cyber controls

The federal government will move to mandate the Essential Eight cybersecurity controls in public sector entities, after it was revealed that many agencies have not even implemented the basic...

Big picture policy needed for Australia’s future industries

Developing Australia’s “industries of tomorrow” like quantum computing requires long term, bipartisan public policy and a rethink of research outcomes, with the nation left vulnerable by policymakers, according to...

Finally, VC wakes to innovation in manufacturing

For a very long time now in Australia it has been possible to get venture capital for a yet-another gold mine or some FinTech app. But when manufacturing innovators...

Govt launches COVID-19 vaccine digital certificates

The federal government has launched digital certificates for Australians to show on their smartphones to prove they have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine digital...

Another $2m McKinsey vaccine contract hidden

Multinational consulting giant McKinsey was paid nearly $2 million over three months late last year by the federal health department to assist with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. But the...

Accenture paid $2.5m per month for digital ID work

The federal government is paying American tech giant Accenture nearly $2.5 million per month for work on its digital identity service. At the start of the year, the Australian...