Google launches $1bn investment project in Australia as Morrison talks up government commitment
Google unveiled the five-year investment project, as Scott Morrison reinforced his government’s commitment to technology.
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Google has launched a $1bn investment project in Australia at an event attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison who spoke of the government’s commitment to technology.
The launch on Tuesday represents a thawing of relations between the government and the tech giant, which has crossed swords with regulators and threatened to withdraw its search engine from Australia when faced with calls to pay for news stories referenced on Google sites.
The event in contrast was upbeat. Speaking on a video link from the US, Alphabet and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai announced Google’s Digital Future Investment program, cited as its biggest investment in Australia yet with the $1bn program to span five years.
Google will join forces with science agency CSIRO and Australian universities to fund projects of national interest, such as the reduction of the Crown of Thorns star fish at the Great Barrier Reef, with an emphasis on the use of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The investment does not include any government money.
Google additionally will build a research hub to be located at its Pyrmont, Sydney headquarters. Google Australia managing director Mel Silva said the hub could create up to 28,000 jobs according to an economic analysis it had commissioned.
“We’re looking particularly at hiring our research team who will be based here, and that will be researchers as well as engineers,” she said.
“We’re also looking at building digital infrastructure, which of course spans many, many different industries, and again, through the partnerships, looking at the ways that they will solve big challenges, so lots of different jobs in many categories.”
Launching the event, Mr Pichai cited aims for the investment program. It would help the development of Australia’s digital infrastructure focused on cloud computing. There was the research hub and the opportunity it offers to local technology talent. There was the potential for working with Australian agencies to solve Australian and global challenges, including with CSIRO on energy. There was the collaboration with Macquarie University on quantum computing.
Mr Pichai said the partnership had “immense potential”.
“Australia’s long tradition of innovation can grow and we look forward to working together as Australia builds that future and we can be part of it,” he said.
Mr Morrison said Google’s investment was a “$1bn vote of confidence I believe in Australia’s economy”.
“Whether it’s realising the challenge of digital technology or indeed achieving what is needed to be achieved with low emissions energy into the future, private capital investment, entrepreneurship, collaborating with the world’s best scientists and researchers, innovators that’s what’s the solves the problems, not taxes and regulation,” he said.
“So leadership in digital capability, skills, digital literacy, research, cybersecurity, safety, emerging technologies and AI, and developing industry partnerships with digital leaders such as Google that’s what our digital strategy is all about.
“It is estimated that technology is our third biggest sector, after mining and financial services puts it in some perspective, and this sector is growing four times faster than the rest of our economy. “We’re building an ecosystem that invests in the digital literacy skills of our workforce, that grows our R & D investment, is a magnet for engineers and scientists and technologists, and removes the barriers to innovate behind.
“Sundar and I have talked many, many times, about my desire for Australia to be front and centre in the changes that are occurring, and I genuinely appreciate what they are making here in Australia over the next five years.”
US Embassy Chargé d‘Affaires Michael Goldman said he had seen figures that Google was not offering just $1bn in investment but close to $5bn in GDP growth with the additional 28,000 jobs in Australia. “These aren‘t just ordinary jobs, these are high paying jobs.”
“American investment accounts for fully seven per cent together with trade of Australia‘s annualised GDP. That’s an astounding figure. That’s equivalent to the entire mining sector. I’m proud to say that the United States is in fact Australia’s most important economic partner.
“You‘ve heard a lot about submarines lately. Well, I’d like to posit that the AUKUS arrangement is about more than submarines, as deeply consequential as that is. It’s about technology sharing, it’s about trust, it’s about enabling our two peoples to reach their fullest potentials across a whole range of exciting technologies.”
CSIRO chief executive officer Larry Marshall said Australia was at a pivotal point, facing profound challenges as the nation sought to build back and be more resilient after the pandemic, while seizing the opportunities that change brings where Australia can lead on the world stage.
“Google‘s investment in Australian science will supercharge this emerging innovation ecosystem, which is passionate and world class. But it‘s small and today a bit fragmented, and that’s hindering our national ability to deliver real solutions from science.
“No matter how brilliant the scientists, no matter how amazing the invention, it actually takes a company to make it real. That‘s why we’re so excited to be announcing this partnership today.”
He said CSIRO and Google had previously collaborated on the challenge of stopping the mosquito plague around malaria and zika infested regions.
“This year, CSIRO has launched four national missions: growing Australia‘s hydrogen industry, adding $10bn in export revenue to our agrifood business, creating a $10bn export industry in protein, and building resilience and independence from drought across our regions and our farming areas. These missions will create new jobs and they’ll fuel economic growth.
“And there’s four more currently in development: to end plastic waste, to overcome antimicrobial resistance, to secure a supply of critical energy metals and underpin the transition to net zero emissions.
“We look forward to standing side-by-side with other partners in industry, like Google, to launch more of these bold missions so that Australia can keep on delivering.”
Originally published as Google launches $1bn investment project in Australia as Morrison talks up government commitment
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