DXN signs fourth undersea cable contract
Prefabricated modular data centre manufacturer DXN has signed its fourth contract received for additional work on the Oman Australia Cable System. The company has signed a $1.2 million contract to supply additional fibre and civil works to the cable system owner SUB.CO. The Oman Australia Cable is a 9,800km submarine cable connecting Muscat, Oman and Perth, with additional branching units designed to extend the system into Salalah, Oman and Djibouti in the future. DXN has now received contracts on the Oman project worth a total of $5.43 million.
DroneShield received $2 million government order
Drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield has received a $2 million order for several of its systems from a customer it identified only as ‘an international government agency’. The company did not detail the systems to be delivered, however the company released a photograph (main picture) of its DroneGun MkIII to investors. The order also brings with its ongoing subscription revenues. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said: “As drones continue to be increasingly used in modern warfare, we are seeing rapidly increasing demand for the DroneShield equipment. With the substantial investment in inventory over the last 12 months, ability to fulfil orders remains critical in (the) current environment, and we are well placed.”
SA to scrap electric vehicle tax
Labor’s crushing election victory in South Australia will see the state’s controversial electric vehicles road usage tax repealed. Labor claimed a comprehensive victory over the Liberal government in the South Australia election on Saturday and is set to gain at least five seats from the government. Labor leader Peter Malinauskas was sworn in as South Australian Premier on Monday morning, along with deputy leader Susan Close and treasurer Stephen Mullighan. The new South Australian government is now set to repeal the state’s controversial electric vehicles road usage tax, which was to come into effect in 2027. The tax was passed into law in October last year, and would have seen EV drivers taxed about 2.5 cents per kilometre they drive. Despite criticisms, similar EV taxes are set to come into effect in New South Wales, which has a Liberal government, and Victoria, which has a Labor government.
Electro Optic Systems announces strategic review, shares jump
Shares in defence, space and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems have jumped by 50 per cent in a week to trade around $3 on the announcement of a strategic review of options to enhance shareholder value. The company is in discussions relating to the funding of its planned SpaceLink satellite network and is also faced with growth opportunities in defence and space markets. EOS told investors: “Given the scale of the SpaceLink funding commitment, conflicting demands on capital and the linkages with EOS shareholder value, the board believes there is merit in ensuring all feasible funding options are explored and assessed in the context of the broader range of strategic options for EOS.” Believing its shares to be undervalued, EOS has appointed Greenhill & Co as financial adviser to assist in the review.
New rapid COVID-19 screening system approved for large-scale trial
Approval has been granted for medical technology company Avicena to perform regular Covid-19 screening of workers and contractors in the resources industry in collaboration with Curtin University. The screening system has received grants in 2020 of $500,000 and $150,000 in 2021 from the Western Australian and federal governments. Avicena’s system is designed to screen up to 4,000 saliva samples per hour, and uses “RT-LAMP chemistry” and robotics, with an accuracy comparable to PCR tests. Two of their instruments have already been delivered to European users. “Avicena’s Sentinel system is a Western Australian developed innovation that will play a role in protecting the health and safety of our crucial FIFO workforce and remote communities during the trial,” said state ICT minister Stephen Dawson in a statement on Sunday.
Engineers Australia calls for a big ideas budget to build sovereign capability
The national peak body for engineers has encouraged the federal government to avoid short-term political gain and make “generational investment in big ideas and a long-term vision” in the upcoming budget. “Building sovereign capability, beating climate change, and busting Australia’s skills shortage are the focus of Engineers Australia’s pre-budget submission for 2022-23,” said Engineers Australia in a statement on Monday. Their recommendations include measures to build sovereign capability, address climate change, and mitigate the nation’s engineering skills shortage.
Gelion makes new application engineering manager appointment
University of Sydney spinout business Gelion has announced the appointment of Göran Klingberg as its new Application Engineering Manager. The company, which is commercialising heat-resistant batteries with a novel zinc-bromide chemistry, said that Klingsberg “has strong background supporting business development and evaluating new applications for customers from a techno-commercial perspective” and his most recent work was on the Lord Howe Island hybrid renewable energy project.
