News

Huge new boost for cyber sector

The Turnbull government’s $230 million Cyber Security Strategy turns one this week and the industry scores a boost from a new Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan launched today. The...

Victoria beefs up local support

The Victorian government is at pains to prove that it is backing the local tech and startup community along with its programs to attract large international players, following an...

Banana benders on a talent drive

Queensland Government policies aimed at luring tech talent from around Australia and across the world to the Sunshine State is proving fruitful, with members of the famed “Silicon Valley...

A digital dividend is delivered

The sale to TPG and Vodafone of the remaining lots of 700 MHz spectrum provides a useful opportunity for reflection on a public policy process that extends over two...

457s: Deep tech’s uncertain times

Petra Andren is the chief executive of the nation’s oldest and most successful tech incubator, Cicada Innovations at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney. It is home to more...

Visa shock: 457 program scrapped

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has abolished Australia’s 457 visa program in a surprise move that has sent shockwaves through the local tech and startup community. Announced via a Facebook...

Startup hub hits first big hurdle

Ambitious NSW Government plans to underwrite centralised innovation precincts in Sydney have run into significant trouble, with two big players pulling out of partnership negotiations. Just as Google announced...

Audit slaps Govt cyber practice

A Parliamentary inquiry is underway into two government agencies’ lack of ‘cyber resilience’ due to a failure to adhere to basic cybersecurity practices. The Joint Committee of Public Accounts...

Snapchatty fun with Asian apps

First there was Didi Chuxing, now there is Snow. Never heard of them? They are just two of the Asian developed and headquartered mobile apps that are challenging the...

An Israeli expat and Aussie growth

Israel has an enviable track record in nurturing fast growth, high tech startups and the culture appears to transplant neatly to Australia where the Israeli expat founded Epicon is...

Local, State, Fed digital delivery

The Commonwealth will unveil the ‘live’ pilot of a digital service that lets users complete end-to-end approvals transactions across all three levels of government through a single portal for...

Cyber’s uncertain career paths

For all the talk about the fundamental importance of cyber security and top-notch technical skills to secure Australia’s place in the global digital economy, there is little said about...

R&D tax: Hammer cracks a nut

The R&D Tax Incentive scheme has become muddled by middlemen and a hardening from the ATO in how claims are viewed could be scaring off the firms most in...

No progress on ACCC startup rule

A lack of clarity from the competition watchdog and government on the proposed crackdown on startup acquisitions could lead to an “investment freeze” in Australia, Shadow Minister for the...