The federal government’s signature manufacturing initiative, the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, is progressing with the appointment of an inaugural CEO and a new form for submitting proposals added to its website. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation board was appointed in August last year, with a search for a CEO announced in October. The board…
The federal government has announced “up to $70 million” in funding to support development of the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in Queensland, with construction expected to be complete in 2026. In a statement on Tuesday, energy minister Chris Bowen said that “with its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources” the…
Australia and Japan have signed an agreement to enhance strategic capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. The research project between Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) is the first under a bilateral research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) arrangement signed in June, 2023. The…
The New South Wales and federal governments have announced two programmes to fund energy-saving upgrades to social housing and to open up access to solar power for strata apartment dwellers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns released a $206 million funding package which could benefit 30,000 households across the state – programmes have…
By Brent Balinski It is the time of year when many of us are reopening, if we aren’t already open for business. Being open for business can have different meanings for different people, as prime minister Anthony Albanese’s description of the National Reconstruction Fund on Monday morning showed. The independent National Reconstruction Fund Corporation is…
By Brent Balinski The Industry Growth Program, offering grants between $50,000 and $5 million to SME and startup commercialisation projects, started accepting applications on Monday. It will no doubt be useful to a long list of companies. However, the replacement for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme does nothing to address some bigger, more immediate problems. The mood…
Space facilities owner Southern Launch has welcomed the signing of a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between Australia and the US which will allow for the transfer of US space technology, including rockets and satellites, between the two countries. Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp said: “The TSA is a game-changer for Southern Launch. “The US space…
China has taken the first steps to lift the punishing tariffs on Australian wine imports ahead of the visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. China will undertake a five month review of the tariffs of up to 220 per cent on Australian wine imposed in 2020 as relations deteriorated between Canberra and Beijing.…
National Cabinet has agreed to unlock billions of dollars to build Australian through a landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA). The agreement between the Commonwealth and the states will take effect from January next year, embedding national cooperation and strategic investment in our vocational education and training sector, according to the government. The federal government…
Sydney quantum computing hardware manufacturer Silicon Quantum Computing’s (SQC) Michelle Simmons was named last night as the winner of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. Professor Simmons (pictured) was recognised for creating the new field of atomic electronics which are ‘powering the transition from the digital to the quantum age’. Simmons, who has already…
