Starpharma, UQ target new radiopharmaceuticals

A federal government science grant and industry funding has sparked the creation of a new research and industry hub targeting the development of new radiopharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical developer Starpharma has partnered with the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney in establishing the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR Hub). Backed…

Productivity Commission fails as others forge ahead – by Tim Buckley

In recent days @AuManufacturing readers have critiqued federal governments efforts to ‘reform the Productivity Commission (see below). Here in our final part of a series, Tim Buckley argues Australia cannot afford more of the same from the PC, which continued to misread profound societal and economic change underway globally. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ announcement yesterday of…

Skykraft delivers space-based VHF communication for Air Traffic Management

Canberra satellite manufacturer Skykraft has completed what it calls a world first trial of space-based VHF voice communications as part of their development of satellites to provide space-based aviation communications and surveillance services. Voice radio communications in the VHF band are used for communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, with VHF radios standard aircraft…

Iluka progresses critical rare earths refinery

Iluka Resurces has continued to progress during the latest quarter its rare earths production plant at Eneabba in Western Australia (pictured), the country’s first fully integrated refinery for the production of separated rare earth oxides. Supported by a $1.25 billion non-recourse loan to Iluka under the federal government’s Critical Minerals Facility, bulk earth works and…

How can we refrom the PC when we can no longer even track productivity – by John Sheridan

The federal treasurer Jim Chalmers has given the new chair of the Productivity Commission Chris Barrett an impossible job, argues John Sheridan. If we can no longer measure productivity in a digital age – and we can’t – how can any amount of reform of the PC help boost national productivity? Workplace productivity comparisons mean…