Few Australian companies even perform R&D – R&D scorecard

The Australian government used to publish a Business R&D Investment Scorecard, providing insight into how companies are investing in their future. Here John H Howard, Victor Pantano and Cameron Begley produce their own scorecard – which suggests fewer Australian companies are bothering with R&D. R&D scorecards are vital tools for policymakers. They provide essential data…

Dutton goes nuclear, proposing seven government-owned generators with the first starting in 2030s

By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced seven sites for reactors, unveiling his long-awaited and highly-controversial policy for nuclear power with the claim it could start operating from the 2030s. The locations are the sites of former or current coal plants. They have the technical attributes needed for a nuclear…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Provaris Energy seeks swift restart to compressed hydrogen tank construction Australian green hydrogen developer Provaris Energy is working with secured lenders to have construction resume of its proprietary compressed hydrogen transport tank for the company’s proposed H2Neo carrier vessel. Earlier this month the company revealed the bankruptcy of Norwegian-based Prodtex Industri AS which operates the…

Liquid Instruments attracts $15 million investment, will hire “dozens” at upcoming Melbourne site 

Breakthrough Victoria, which manages a $2 billion investment fund on behalf of the state government, has announced that it is investing $15 million in software-defined test instrumentation company Liquid Instruments. The company’s devices are described as using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and software to create more adaptable instrumentation, “providing up to fourteen different instruments accessible…

Kord Defence to equip Ukraine military

Defence contractor Kord Defence will supply its Advanced RACU Commander Systems to the Ukrainian Military under the Australian Government’s $100m package of military assistance announced in April. The Systems will form part of high priority equipment required by Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline, with Kord also providing comprehensive training to Ukrainian soldiers. Managing Director of…