Big tech companies would have to either do deals with news organisations to help fund journalism or pay a charge to the Australian government, under a new plan announced by the Albanese government on Thursday. The new plan follows the Morrison government-era system introduced in 2021 known as the news media bargaining code, which saw… Read more »
The federal government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund has made its second investment, taking a $13 million equity stake in Canberra startup Quantum Brilliance. It follows $40 million for a mining tech manufacturer announced last month. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) funding is for QB to build Australia’s first quantum diamond foundry for its… Read more »
In late November, Australia’s federal parliament passed landmark legislation banning under-16s from accessing social media. Details remain vague: we don’t have a complete list of which platforms will fall under the legislation, or how the ban will look in practice. However, the government has signalled that trials of age assurance technologies will be central to… Read more »
The federal government has deprioritised 218 occupations while escalating some 456 others – including a range of cyber security and ICT roles – as it works to boost flagging national productivity by focusing its evolving skilled visa program on the areas of highest need. Designed “to replace complex, out of date and inflexible occupation lists… Read more »
The federal government has launched a review into Australia’s research and development performance but may not live to see the result. The year-long review strategic review will be led by Robyn Denholm, chair of Telsa and the Tech Council of Australia, founder of Wollemi Capital, and operating partner at VC fund Blackbird. The review was announced… Read more »
The federal parliament has passed legislation to ban people under 16 from having an account with some social media platforms. In doing so, it has ignored advice from a chorus of experts – and from the Australian Human Rights Commission, which said the government rushed the legislation through parliament “without taking the time to get… Read more »
A parliamentary inquiry into generative artificial intelligence has suggested products of tech giants such as OpenAI, Amazon, Meta, and Google should treated as “high-risk” under dedicated AI laws. On Tuesday, the Senate Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence tabled a report on the “opportunities and impacts” coming from Australia’s uptake of AI. The 222-page report raised 13… Read more »
Sydney quantum computing software startup Q-CTRL has been awarded $2.75 million contract by the federal government as part of a plan to deliver the defence sector additional capabilities in quantum and counter disinformation technologies. The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program has signed 21 contracts as part of an investment… Read more »
Last week the industry and science minister Ed Husic stood in front of Australia’s tech titans at the National Tech Summit, telling them the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund was about to announce its first investments. Today Husic delivered on the promise, announcing $40 million for a manufacturer in Queensland. The funds went to Toowoomba-based… Read more »
In an escalation of its battle with big tech, the federal government has announced it plans to impose a “digital duty of care” on tech companies to reduce online harms. The announcement follows the government’s controversial plans to legislate a social media ban for young people under 16 and impose tighter rules on digital platforms… Read more »
The Albanese government’s industry and science minister Ed Husic swung by the Tech Council of Australia’s summit in Melbourne today to let them know things are going to happen. Traditionally, politicians rock up to events with big, bold announcements. Husic announced that he’s going to be making announcements. It’s nearly a year since the minister… Read more »
Australia wants to ban children from social media. The proposed legislation would make platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, off limits to anyone under sixteen, and put Australia at the forefront of regulating social media access for children. While backed by social change movements such as 36 Months which delivered a petition to Prime… Read more »
As governments worldwide move to restrict teenagers’ access to smartphones and social media, a fierce scientific debate has erupted over whether these digital technologies actually harm young people’s mental health. The controversy, sparked by an influential recent book blaming phones for rising youth anxiety, has exposed deep uncertainties in the research evidence – even as… Read more »
The federal government is looking to take on big tech companies like Meta, owners of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, TikTok and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), and possibly YouTube, with a social media ban for children under 16. Prime minister Anthony Albanese and communications minister Michelle Rowland today revealed plans for legislation to be introduced… Read more »
In a significant blow to Australia’s defence capabilities, the federal government is cancelling what would have been the nation’s largest-ever space project: a $7 billion military satellite communications system. The decision was confirmed in a press statement on Monday. It comes just 18 months after the Albanese government gave the green light to the ambitious… Read more »
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