News

Reflections on five years at the OECD

After an amazing and intensive five years with the team at OPSI (the Observatory of Public Sector Innovation), I’m leaving the OECD to move on to new adventures back in...

Siemens partners on Aust-made electric vehicle

Siemens and Western Australian partner Murray Engineering have unveiled a new light electric vehicle (eLV) designed and built in Australia. The vehicle was unveiled at the Austmine 2021 conference...

HRC calls for an AI Safety Commissioner

The federal government should establish an AI Safety Commissioner and halt the use of facial recognition and algorithms in important decision-making until adequate protections are in place,  the Australian...

Govt launches new RDTI digital platform

All Australian companies will soon have to use the government’s digital identity service to access the research and development tax incentive following the launch of a new digital platform...

Electronic warfare centre opens at Flinders

A new electronic warfare centre has been established at Flinders University to address Australia’s shortage of experts in the area – known colloquially as ‘Old Crows’ – and to...

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...