News

More contractors than staff in govt IT roles

There are more temporary contract workers involved in government technology projects than full-time Australian Public Service staff, with some large agencies using more than four times as many tech...

CSIRO boost for local hydrogen production

It has been a big week in the development of a local green hydrogen sector with the launch of a CSIRO-led national industry mission and the unveiling of the...

Gig Guide: more advisory work for Halton

Former top public servant Jane Halton has scored more advisory work from the government, after concluding her work on the COVID-19 Commission. Ms Halton will be paid nearly $100,000...

Govt considers new crypto and ransomware laws

The federal government is actively considering implementing global cryptocurrency data-sharing rules and a mandatory ransomware notification scheme. At appearances at Senate Estimates hearings this week, Department of Home Affairs...

Visa platform delayed to include COVID data

The federal government is still yet to decide which of the three shortlisted US tech firms will be tasked with building a new digital visa processing platform, with the...

Women in STEM rates a ‘national emergency’

The low numbers of women in STEM occupations is “a national emergency”, according to the chairman of Industry Innovation and Science Australia Andrew Stevens, who is also a member...

Victorian Parliament passes EVs tax

A controversial new distance-based tax for electric vehicle owners has passed Victorian Parliament and will come into effect from July. The “zero and low-emission vehicle distance-based charge” will see...

DTA hands KPMG $850,000 for two month job

The Digital Transformation Agency has handed consulting giant KPMG a $850,000 contract running for just two months, with the agency declining to explain the details of this work. Tender...

Covid-related chip shortage hits Carbon Revolution

Carbon fibre composite road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has taken a new hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year the company suffered as vehicle assembly plants closed overseas during...

Govt keeps McKinsey’s $2m mRNA report secret

A report on the development of onshore mRNA vaccine manufacturing capabilities that the federal government paid McKinsey $2 million to write and is driving its push for a local...

Govt consults on updated RDTI software guidelines

The Industry department has opened consultations on updated guidelines for software claims under the research and development tax incentive, after the federal government opted not to introduce a new...

Innovation Metrics Review, sunk without a trace

An in-depth investigation of the way government measures outcomes in Australia’s innovation system conducted by the most senior of public sector advisors is missing in action, gathering dust somewhere,...

ADC delivers secure Oracle cloud for govt

The shift toward a better understanding of cybersecurity, data protection and sovereign capability has intensified as the COVID19 pandemic, subsequent digital transformation and global supply chain issues have exposed...

Expert urges caution in cashless gambling trial

The New South Wales government has backed a trial of cashless gambling in Newcastle that will let people use digital payments for gaming machines like pokies. But the trial...