Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces $100m quantum investment to protect Australia

Australia will accelerate development of super computers to protect the electricity grid, water, hospitals, banks and other critical infrastructure.

Australia will accelerate development of super computers to protect the electricity grid, water, hospitals, banks and other critical infrastructure as China’s influence in the Pacific region grows.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce a new “blue print” for critical technologies, including a $100 million investment in quantum technology, considered vital in protecting Australia’s assets from outside attacks.

Of this about $70m will be used to establish a quantum commercialisation hub to partner with “like-minded” countries and help Australian businesses access new markets and investors.

Australia’s allies like the US, UK and Canada are already spending billions on quantum technology, while China is also highly advanced in its development.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce a $100m investment in quantum technology.

This new frontier of technological competition is expected to have a significant impact on regional security in the coming years.

A powerful quantum computer could theoretically break much of the encryption currently used to secure e-mails and internet transactions, and help intelligence agencies reveal secret communications.

The technology would enable Australia to protect private information and thwart cyber attacks.

Highly precise and sensitive quantum sensors could also be used for enhanced imaging, radar and threat detection for defence.

Quantum technology also has uses in artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, novel antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines, low emissions fuels, drones and advanced robotics.

Mr Morrison will on Wednesday tell a national security conference Australia will seek to leverage its partnerships with the US, UK, Japan and India through AUKUS and the Quad to share security and defence-related science, technology and supply chains to bolster the nation’s defence system.

“Our trilateral efforts in AUKUS will enhance our joint capabilities and interoperability, with an initial focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities,” Mr Morrison will tell the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

A new quantum hub would help develop new technology and facilites, as Australia seeks to establish computing labs like this one operated by IBM. Picture: Supplied

Mr Morrison will say the government’s new blueprint will ensure Australia has access to critical new technologies, promote the country as a “trusted and secure” investment option and protect sovereign intellectual property.

“(It will) support regional resilience and shape an international environment that enables open, diverse and competitive markets and secure and trusted technological innovation,” he will say.

Mr Morrison will say quantum science could also help Australian industries like mining, with the technology improving the discovery of valuable ore deposits and making groundwater monitoring more efficient.

Mr Morrison visited Google Australia’s Sydney offices on Tuesday, where he welcomed the tech giant’s $1bn investment as a “vote of confidence” in the country’s digital economy strategy.