This was published 1 year ago
Queensland dreams big by investing in technology of the future
By Matt Dennien
The news
Queensland has been praised for unveiling what has been described as the biggest state investment in the emerging field of quantum technology – hailed as the new frontier in computing.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk used her annual State of the State address to announce $76 million in funding and a plan to introduce the topic of quantum technology into schools and TAFEs.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants the state to embrace quantum technology.Credit: Nathan Perri
University of Queensland physics professor Dr Andrew White said the strategy would drive work to unlock new or cheaper abilities in medical and environmental sensing.
“It’s going to be transformational for all sectors of our economy,” he told journalists.
Why it matters
The nascent technology and research involves studying and harnessing the behaviour of microscopic subatomic particles which, until recent decades, defied common sense, White said.
These include particles existing in multiple states at the same time, which the federal government hopes Australia will be able to use to build the first complete quantum computer.
While Australia established an initial lead in such technology, other countries and companies have overtaken it. A new federal strategy was announced in May, with funding up to $1 billion.
The CSIRO estimates the sector could be worth $2.2 billion nationwide by 2030, and triple that by 2045.
What they said
“It’s not enough to only provide the skills in schools for existing technologies,” Palaszczuk said in her speech at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event.
The government will work with industry and universities to establish a Quantum Academy with the aim of bringing programs into schools and TAFEs, and pouring millions into commercialising the technology.
“That was ... the biggest investment by any Australian [state or territory] government on quantum technologies and advanced technologies,” White said at a press conference after the speech.
He said similar work focuses on measuring things previously unable to be measured, in areas including medicine and the environment.
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