Microsoft’s $5 billion investment in Australia

Anthony Albanese has revealed how tech firm Microsoft will invest billions of dollars into Australia to upskill workers. See what it means.

Tech giant Microsoft will inject $5bn into its Australian operations over the next two years, training 300,000 people in artificial intelligence and cloud computing while also fighting online threats alongside Australia’s cyber spy agency.

Anthony Albanese will announce the spending blitz with Microsoft executives in Washington DC, kicking off a four-day visit that culminates in a state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden.

The Prime Minister, who arrived on Monday, hailed Microsoft’s decision as “a major investment in the skills and workers of the future, which will help Australia to strengthen our position as a world-leading economy”.

PM Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie arrived in Washington DC. Picture: Sky News

Ensuring the implementation of the AUKUS pact and expanding US-Australia co-operation on clean energy and critical minerals will be Mr Albanese’s key priorities for the trip.

But he will almost certainly be denied the chance to deliver a prestigious address to a joint sitting of the US Congress, which remains paralysed while Republicans fight over replacing the House Speaker who hard-right rebels ousted earlier this month.

Microsoft’s investment will add nine data centres to its network of 20 across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, along with a new data centre academy in partnership with TAFE NSW that is due to open next year.

“Australia is one of the world’s most advanced users of cloud technologies and this investment will keep us at the forefront,” Industry Minister Ed Husic said.

The company – to be represented by president Brad Smith and Australian managing director Steven Worrall – has committed to training 300,000 Australians in new skills required in the burgeoning digital economy.

Microsoft president Brad Smith has committed to training 300,000 Aussies in news skills. Picture: Supplied

“A priority for my government is to ensure all Australians benefit from economic growth. This means that we need to provide the skills to enable Australians to succeed in the jobs of the future,” Mr Albanese said.

He also praised their collaboration with the Australian Signals Directorate on the Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield, which will identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats affecting individuals, companies and governments.

On his first day in the US capital, Mr Albanese is also expected to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of more than 400,000 US service members, veterans and their relatives. He will pay his respects to two Australians buried at the cemetery: 9/11 victim Yvonne Kennedy and RAAF pilot Francis D. Milne.

But with nine Republicans campaigning for the speakership, the top job is unlikely to be filled in time for a new Speaker to invite the Prime Minister to address Congress.

The infighting has also created havoc for Australian officials trying to arrange high-level meetings for Mr Albanese to persuade Republicans who have expressed concerns about selling American nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under AUKUS.

But those members welcomed a $US3.4bn (A$5.3bn) spending boost proposed by Mr Biden over the weekend to speed up submarine production ahead of the sale to Australia in the 2030s.

Originally published as Microsoft’s $5 billion investment in Australia