News

Renewables remain at half the cost of nuclear: CSIRO

Renewables continue to be the cheapest new-build electricity-generating technology, while nuclear power is around twice as expensive and has “no unique cost advantages” from its long operational life, despite...

Australia’s new invitation-only innovation visa comes online

Entrepreneurs, investors and researchers will need to be invited by Immigration minister Tony Burke to apply for Australia’s new National Innovation visa under changes introduced to “target high-calibre migrants”....

Gig Guide: Workforce Australia exec departs after tech bungle

Employment department first assistant secretary Melissa Ryan has vacated her role leading Workforce Australia for Individuals after a series of technology issues in recent months. A department spokesperson confirmed...

Australia rolls out the red carpet to SpaceX

Australia’s space regulator prepared bespoke support for SpaceX earlier this year to aid the company’s bid to land and recover a rocket off the coast of Western Australia, newly...

First rare earths refinery secures $475m govt loan

Australia will get its first fully integrated rare earths refinery after the federal government responded to a call for investment from Iluka Resources and agreed to loan it $475...

Govt revives ‘citizen watchdog’ missing in Robodebt

Top legal minds and disability and Indigenous advocates have been appointed to a reinstated administrative decisions watchdog to bolster oversight and tackle systemic issues. The experts arrive as part...

Canberra’s anti-GovERP uplift gets underway

A handful of federal agencies have begun drawing up plans to replace their enterprise resource planning systems in the wake of the government’s disastrous $340 million GovERP project. As...

ANU Tech Policy Design Centre moves to keep doors open

The Australian National University-based Tech Policy Design Centre is expected to continue its work in 2025 – albeit as an independent not-for-profit entity – after the university unexpectedly cut...

Social media platforms are throttling access to news

Just days out from the United States presidential election last month, X (formerly Twitter) suddenly crippled the ability of many major media and political organisations to reach audiences on...

DTA procurement review looks to ‘level playing field’

A strategic review of whole-of-government technology sourcing arrangements will look at options to boost procurement from local small and medium-sized businesses, according to Finance minister Katy Gallagher. Senator Gallagher...

WA govt unlocks $150m in early-stage VC capital

The Western Australian government has unlocked $150 million in private investment for the state’s startups through a new partnership with local and interstate venture capital firms. Premier Roger Cook...

Bullying, pay gap in male dominated ’24/7′ cyber sector

Gender biases, stereotypes and inequities are limiting women’s participation in the Australian cybersecurity sector, according to new research that recommends changes to the current “24/7 culture”. A report by...

WA launches $8m wind turbine manufacturing scheme

A new grants program designed to support wind turbine manufacturing in Western Australia has been launched by the state government and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre. The Wind Energy...