News

DTA defends effectiveness of COVIDSafe app

The Digital Transformation Agency has gone into bat for its COVIDSafe contact tracing app, defending it against a barrage of criticism from Labor senators. Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) representatives...

Govt seeks input on looming AI action plan

Australian governments, businesses and individuals need to act now to ensure the country benefits from artificial intelligence systems and doesn’t fall behind the rest of the world, a new...

PM recognises Australian science heroes

Of all the honours handed out at the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science awards, the $250,000 Prize for Innovation never fails to capture the imagination for its recognition...

‘Cancelled’ ANU academic goes on the record

The lecturer at the centre of the ANU academic freedom controversy has spoken out, saying she was surprised and “disappointed” she was removed as moderator of a panel discussion...

What the US election means for innovation

The US election is on November 3, 2020. Two very different candidates, two very different political parties. What does the US election outcome hold for tech and innovation? And...

DTA rejects govt’s own CMS to buy Adobe

The federal government has spent five years encouraging departments and agencies to standardise website software on an open source content management system in order to reduce complexity, save money...

‘No future’ for space if agency doesn’t act now

The Australian space sector is at risk of “shutting down before it starts” due to bureaucracy at the Australian Space Agency and delays in issuing permits to local companies,...

FIRB reforms introduced to Parliament

Significant reforms to Australia’s foreign investment framework which have raised concerns among the local tech sector have been introduced to Parliament, with plans to implement them from the start...

The depth of our AI-based cyber challenge

Are the good guys and girls winning the cyber wars or are we slipping behind as cyber-battles become more of a competition between AI systems rather than human hackers...

Research translation policies not fit for purpose

Current policies aimed at creating incentives for research translation are not fit-for-purpose for tech companies, with too much focus on public-private collaboration, according to Q-CTRL founder Professor Michael Biercuk....

Telco concerns over critical infrastructure

Proposed powers for the government to step in and take over a piece of critical infrastructure is of “great concern”, according to the Communications Alliance, with a rushed process...

Uninspiring: ScoMo’s tech adoption fail

Local tech leaders have railed against Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s emphasis on tech adoption rather than creation, branding it “uninspiring”, lacking in ambition and “the opposite of what we...

‘Critical technology’ supply chain plan unveiled

The federal government has unveiled a draft set of voluntary principles aiming to ensure the security of the supply chain of critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum...

Manufacturing plan is all froth and no beer

The government has spent the best part of a month spruiking its budget announcement of $1.5 billion for Australia’s manufacturing industry, but when Australian manufacturers raise a glass to...