Fintech is now a ministerial responsibility as startup sector rejoices in keeping its minister

The reappointment of Queensland MP Karen Andrews as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology has been welcomed by a startup community relieved that they don’t have to start from scratch with a new minister once again.

While most attention focused on the prime ministerial revolving door, the industry and innovation portfolios were led by eight ministers in nine years. Andrews was appointed when Scott Morrison first became Liberal leader last August.

Some in the startup sector were advocating for senator Arthur Sinodinos to return to the portfolio he held in 2017 before stepping down due to ill health. Instead, Sinodinos will leave politics halfway through his six-year senate term to become Alexander Downer’s replacement as Australia’s ambassador to the US later this year.

In more good news for the fintech sector, Senator Jane Hume was made Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology. Former Optus executive Paul Fletcher takes on the Communications, Cybersafety and Arts portfolio. He replaces Senator Mitch Fifield, who is heading to New York as Australia’s Ambassador to the United Nations.

Industry, science and technology minister Karen Andrews talks to students about STEM careers. Photo: Karen Andrews.

StartupAUS CEO Alex McCauley said he looked forward to working with Andrews, a mechanical engineer before she entered politics in 2010.

“Minister Andrews brings a clear passion for science and entrepreneurship to the position, and her reappointment and provides some much-needed continuity in this space,” he said.

“High growth technology firms will have a critical role to play in driving economic growth, so there’s a lot to talk about. Now that the excitement of the election has calmed down, it’s time to roll our sleeves up and get back into it.”

McCauley was also pleased to see fintech as ministerial responsibility.

“Technology and technology policy are increasingly relevant across the width and breadth of the economy,” he said.

“We look forward to engaging broadly across government to help get the settings right to make Australia one of the best places in the world to build and grow a technology business.”

Anne-Marie Elias, lab director at Sydney-based social impact incubator New Horizons Enterprises, said she hoped Andrews boost Australia’s reputation as the clever country.

 We welcome dialogue with Karen Andrews and in particular hope there’s an openness to gain access to the breadth and diversity across the ecosystem – everything from renewables, to med tech to social enterprise to agritech,” she said.

Before taking on the industry and science portfolio, Andrews spent two years as the assistant minister for science under Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, then assistant minister for vocational education and skills.