This Month
Chief scientist Cathy Foley despairs for an impatient society
The federal government’s top scientific adviser, whose term finishes at Christmas, says Australia needs to rethink its approach to research and innovation.
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- AI
Husic chases Australian edge in AI, industry says faster pace needed
Industry Minister Ed Husic will announce a National AI Capability Plan in Singapore on Monday where he is signing a memorandum of understanding on AI co-operation.
- Ronald Mizen
Labor’s manufacturing fund takes stake in quantum tech company
The National Reconstruction Fund has taken a $13 million stake in Quantum Brilliance, which aims to build an Australian-first facility to make diamonds used in quantum computers.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Innovation
Time to reverse the R&D slide
I encourage everyone with an interest in our long-term prosperity to engage with the review of the system so we get the best possible recommendations.
- Ed Husic
Tesla’s Robyn Denholm to lead review of R&D settings
The Albanese government has ordered the first review of research and development spending in Australia in almost 20 years.
- Tom McIlroy
November
Plug-and-play homes can be cheap, but are not for everyone
Ingenia Communities’ John Carfi welcomes federal government plans to make it easier to finance prefabricated homes, but warns against going beyond that.
- Campbell Kwan
Labor’s $15b reconstruction fund makes landmark first investment
Donald Trump’s retreat from the renewable energy transition is good timing for plans to reboot domestic manufacturing, says the National Reconstruction Fund head.
- Tom McIlroy
Albanese tells Queensland to stick with $1b quantum deal
New Premier David Crisafulli is reviewing the deal with US-based start-up PsiQuantum and says speculation about its future is premature.
- Tom McIlroy and James Hall
October
- Exclusive
- Government grants
Coalition, Labor both promised $50m to this business. No one knows why
During the last election the major parties pledged funds to a run-down Hobart zinc smelter without proper advice. This is why it matters.
- Ronald Mizen
- Updated
- AI
Tech giants, major banks warn Labor to tread lightly on AI regulation
The companies say sweeping rules like those in Europe and called for by public interest groups will do more harm than good, and could restrict new uses.
- Updated
- Amelia McGuire
‘High risk, high return’: Chief scientist sceptical on $1b quantum deal
Internal government documents show Cathy Foley took months to be convinced US-based company PsiQuantum could deliver a super computer in Australia this decade.
- Tom McIlroy
September
Could a kill switch help us control dangerous AI?
The government is calling for business responses to its plans to rein in the use of potentially dangerous forms of artificial intelligence.
- Tess Bennett
August
- Exclusive
- Manufacturing
Caravan and chocolate makers line up for Made in Australia billions
Caravan manufacturers, chocolate makers, software developers and native titleholders are among the slew of interest groups putting their hands out for taxpayer support.
- Michael Read
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Coalition eyes Labor’s IR laws as part of WA policy package
The Coalition is developing a specific policy package for WA to try and reclaim lost ground in its former stronghold.
- Phillip Coorey
Coalition claims ‘$1 billion captain’s pick’ as PsiQuantum answers emerge
New information reveals the Commonwealth engaged in a lengthy due diligence process before making a $1 billion bet on PsiQuantum.
- Tess Bennett
July
PsiQuantum promises US a computer after $US500m investment
Three months after inking almost $1 billion worth of deals with the federal and Qld governments, the tech start-up has signed up to build another quantum computer in Chicago.
- Paul Smith
Labor appoints former NBN boss as nuclear head
Mike Quigley has been appointed as the head of the federal government’s peak nuclear organisation.
- John Kehoe
June
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Why our spooks and economists are teaming up to manage China
Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy and chief spook Andrew Shearer are leading a new economic security regime that will have far-reaching consequences for business and investors.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Investing
The fund meant to save Australia held ‘sham’ meetings
The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund is struggling to find investments, but it is great at holding meetings.
- Aaron Patrick
- Exclusive
- Quantum Computing
Government’s $189.5m quantum computing VC investment revealed
Previously secret details behind the mammoth investment in US-based quantum computing firm PsiQuantum have been uncovered, including the government’s equity investment.
- Paul Smith