News

NRFC grilled over scandal-linked startup investment

The corporation managing the government’s $15 billion industry fund has agreed to review potential risks to the Commonwealth from its $32 million equity investment in a startup linked to...

Aussie undersea repair drone finds global success

A remotely-operated underwater drone developed by an Australian robotics startup to inspect and repair salmon aquaculture nets has begun exports to the world’s largest producer. Southern Ocean Subsea secured...

Accenture’s $7 billion diversity gamble

One of government’s biggest technology service sellers has ditched diversity policies in the shadow of the Trump administration, raising questions about how it can remain a responsible supplier. Accenture,...

Defence takes control of data project away from KPMG

Defence took back control of its troubled data consolidation overhaul from KPMG before it reached minimum viable capability late last year after identifying “deficiencies” with the contracted work, Senate...

Govt’s employment tech raises legal doubts

The Employment department on Wednesday apologised for its bug riddled and “dead ends” technology systems that have for years been incorrectly penalising hundreds of jobseekers, including 10 that died...

Shortage of AI skills has put a handbrake on AI adoption

Surging demand for artificial intelligence expertise and a scarcity of talent had created a yawning skills gap in Australia that is hindering companies’ ability to implement generative AI systems....

Privacy watchdog loses 30pc of staff

Australia’s privacy watchdog has lost more than 30 per cent of its workforce in less than six months thanks to a budget cut that has triggered morale issues among...

Govt closing in on crucial procurement updates

The Albanese government has landed on a definition of Australian business to reform a $75 billion procurement system that local suppliers warn is being gamed by foreign tech giants....

ARENA tips $10m into sustainable aviation fuel studies

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will provide more than $10 million in federal grants for two feasibility studies aimed at advancing sustainable aviation fuel projects with international reach. The...

WA’s New Industries Fund in frame for an election top-up

Western Australian startup lobby StartupWA has welcomed the Cook government’s just launched ‘Made in WA’ industry strategy, in particular the renewal of the state’s New Industries Fund. WA Premier...

Risk vs reward: ARC plans to get behind ‘bold thinking’

The Australian Research Council will lift its risk appetite for innovative but unproven ideas that could lead to future research breakthroughs under a proposed overhaul of non-medical research grants....