News

Govt to refund $700m in robodebts

The federal government will refund nearly 500,000 robodebts worth more than $700 million after admitting significant elements of the scheme were unlawful. In a taking out the trash announcement...

AusBiotech sector locked out of COVID response

Crucial research and thousands of jobs are at risk because the Australian biotech industry has been largely locked out of the federal government’s COVID-19 support efforts, according to AusBiotech....

Michael Biercuk on deep tech policy

Michael Biercuk sits at the centre of a bunch of areas of strategic national interest as a quantum physicist at the University of Sydney and as the founder/CEO at...

Review launched into patents system for SMEs

A review has been launched into the accessibility of Australia’s patent system for SMEs following the controversial scrapping of the innovation patents scheme. Led by former Professional Standards Board...

COVID widening the cyber gap: Report

The COVID-19 crisis has widened the cybersecurity gap between large businesses and SMEs, with smaller firms increasingly vulnerable to attacks, a new report has found. The report by the...

Transparency on public sector cyber resilience

Better transparency is needed on the cyber resilience measures taken by departments and agencies in the wake of damning exposures of cyber shortcomings across government, with Labor now calling...

Govt seeks to monetise digital ID scheme

The government is looking to monetise its digital identity program as it prepares to allow state and territory governments and private sector companies to participate in the scheme which...

Science and tech the key to economic recovery

Australia’s scientists and tech workers have a vital role in helping lead the country out of the socio-economic trauma caused by COVID-19, the woman in charge of our peak...

COVIDSafe is no ‘gold standard’ for govt tech

The COVIDSafe app should not be viewed as a gold standard for government digital service delivery, with a need to overlook the hype to acknowledge a series of issues...

Steven Marshall on the post-COVID economy

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall says his government is working to an economic plan that aims to ensure the state exits 2020 in a stronger position than when it...

Cloud Marketplace now pushed to 2021

The government’s new Cloud Marketplace won’t be up and running until next year, despite initial plans for its launch next month. The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has been planning...

Cathy Foley on our quantum future

Quantum technology is not a phrase discussed over kitchen tables in Australia, but perhaps it should be. Australia’s quantum technology research has been breaking new ground for almost 30 years....

Huge VC and talent opportunity: AIC chief

A comprehensive plan for Australia’s innovation economy is urgently needed, with an opportunity to attract offshore capital and talent at unprecedented levels following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Australian...

Digital infrastructure for the post-COVID future

Imagine last year reading a story that began: ‘In 2020 we will have these massive fires and they will burn for months destroying 50 million acres and then we...