Picking winners – yes we do this now in Australia, thankfully

By Peter Roberts I have just been reminded by a former colleague of the bad old days when policy, any policy, favouring manufacturing was seen as protectionism and picking winners. Those times lasted for decades, with the Productivity Commission and the Coalition weaponising the words against manufacturers. My former colleague asked: what government policy is…

Biodegradable bags to revolutionise mushroom farming

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing. Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (pictured) is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow…

BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel fleet now complete

The Royal Australian Navy has received its fifth and final BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel (pictured) powered only by the wind, sun and wave action. Manufactured by Ocius Technologies, the BlueBottle can cover long distances, undertake a variety of missions, and stay at sea for extended periods. BlueBottle vessel BEACON recently spent two travelling to and…

Queensland pumped hydro project powers ahead

Two key contracts have been awarded for the Queensland government’s $12 billion Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro energy storage project. Central Queensland business Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling has been named as the successful tenderer for the six-month geotechnical shallow drilling programme for the project. Queensland-based joint venture Water2Wire is the successful proponent for the project’s Front-End…