While issues such as quantum computing attract political action, Australia is losing the sovereign ability to manufacture even basic products such as plastics and downstream products such as paint. According to Shane West, the closure of plastic raw material production by Qenos requires government intervention. How to respond to the loss of Qenos – Australia…
Defence minister Richard Marles has expressed his confidence in the defence procurement function following scathing criticism from the Auditor General of probity issues in a long-term contract for the supply of explosives and munitions. An official sought champagne and eventually went to work for the contractor, French group Thales, over a contract worth $1.2 billion,…
The federal government will roll out of more than 420 community batteries across the country in a move it says is lowering household power bills and boosting reliability in the electricity grid. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will support up to 370 community batteries as part of Round 1 of its Community Batteries Fund, an…
The Australian Army is turning to directed-energy weapons as one-way of embracing emerging technology to counter off-the-shelf small multi-rotor uncrewed aerial vehicles. Recently at the Army’s At a Puckapunyal range in Victoria, AIM Defence demonstrated its Fractl Portable High Energy Laser which is powerful enough to burn through steel and can track objects as small…
Luxury Food manufacturer Maggie Beer Holdings is foreshadowing subdued results for FY24 with growth in sales of Maggie Beer branded foods offset by a decline in sales from its troubled Paris Creek Farms business. The Barossa Valley company told investors that FY24 revenue would be slightly ahead of FY23 at around $89 million, with anticipated…
The Queensland government has taken a bold step to develop the state’s quantum computing capabilities with the announcement of five quantum and advanced technologies competitive grant programme providing more than $50 million in funding. The grant programmes will enhance quantum technology applications, attract investment and collaboration, develop a skilled workforce, aid decarbonisation and promote quantum-based…
CSIRO has worked with Dell Technologies to build a high-performance computer (HPC) system which will speed up scientific discoveries and help grow Australia’s industry and economy. Named Virga, the HPC system is built on Dell PowerEdge XE9640 servers and is the first deployment of its kind in Australia, designed to optimise artificial intelligence (AI) workflows…
Boeing has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to deliver the deployed communications elements of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) next generation Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) under project AIR6500. Drawing on the technology developed for the Currawong Battlespace Communications System, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) will deliver hardware and software for voice and…
A cohort of 30 students, predominantly overseas qualified engineers, commenced a new Industry-Integrated Master of Engineering Program at La Trobe University this month, designed to upskill engineers for the Australian job market. According to a statement from the university, many skilled and highly-experienced migrants struggle to find work due to a “a lack of familiarity…
Silver Fleece to close – report Adelaide media has reported the demise of the manufacturer of the cable knit jumpers (pictured) worn by Australia’s test cricket team for decades. Local In Daily reported that Silver Fleece had been wound up with liquidators appointed from Clifton Hall. The company, which employs between 10 and 50 at…