James Riley and the InnovationAus team talks to corporate, academic and political leaders about what’s driving the transformation of Australia’s economy toward a 21st Century mindset. InnovationAus is an independent publication that reports on government policy as it affects technology-based innovation across the nation’s growth industries. From mining and agriculture to financial services, MedTech, cyber security and advanced manufacturing. The journalism focuses on the opportunities that align with Australia’s strategic priorities and connects government, institutional researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and the mainstream business community.
Professor Roy Green is a special advisor on innovation at the University of Technology Sydney and a director at CSIRO. He is also an expert on innovation systems, and the policies that drive their success. In this episode of the Commercial Disco, Professor Green talks with optimism about building Australia's economic resilience and industrial capacity.
Welcome to the first episode of Powering What’s Next, brought to you by GE Vernova, where we'll explore the technologies, policies and partnerships shaping Australia's energy transition and what it will take to build a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future. In this episode, Corrie McLeod, publisher, InnovationAus.com is joined by Aaron Scott, business development leader for electrification systems at GE Vernova and David McElrea, chief executive of the Smart Energy Council. Together, they unpack the realities of Australia's path to net zero, exploring the infrastructure, technology and policy settings needed to deliver the energy transition. They discuss the growing role of battery storage, grid modernisation and data centres, the challenges of attracting investment and accelerating project delivery, and why Australia must take a system-wide approach to energy reform. The trio also examine how renewable energy can strengthen Australia's industrial competitiveness, improve energy security and position the nation to become a global clean energy superpower.
The $540 million Australian Business Growth Fund was set up under the former Coalition government in Canberra in 2020. In this episode of the Commercial Disco podcast, James Riley talks to ABGF chief Anthony Healy about the funding gap he is trying to fill. And for local companies with a solid growth story, there is advice on how to get on the ABGF's radar.
It was a big week for Australia's national science agency CSIRO as chief executive Doug Hilton delivered his first address to the National Press Club, outlining an ongoing restructure that aims to sharpen the institution's science focus on industry. James Riley and Justin Hendry read the tealeaves.
InnovationAus editor Justin Hendry and senior reporter Joseph Brookes read the tea leaves on AI policy at the Labor national conference in Adelaide, discuss a revamp of a flagship federal startup program, and highlight a recasting of Australian Research Council grants.
In this episode of the Commercial Disco podcast, Cicada Innovations chief executive Liza Noonan says governments have a giant role to play as potential 'first customers' for innovative Australian deep tech companies.
Australia’s cyber security challenge has moved past the question of whether to adopt Zero Trust. The real test is now whether it actually works. In this episode of Commercial Disco(very), InnovationAus.com publisher Corrie McLeod sits down with Elastic’s area vice president of national security Sean MacKirdy to discuss why AI-powered threats are driving the need for real-time visibility, proactive response and mature Zero Trust architectures across government and critical infrastructure.
Australia wants electric trucks on its highway, but where do they charge? In this episode of Commercial Disco(very), eLumina chief executive Lisa Marsh explains why charging infrastructure, not vehicle technology, is the real barrier to freight electrification.
A highly anticipated speech by the Prime Minister this week reset Australia's AI policy. But it lacked key details and any mention of how local startups and researchers will benefit. InnovationAus editor Justin Hendry was in the room and unpacks the detail, plus how the sector reacted.
National AI Centre executive director Lee Hickin spent a career in some of the largest tech companies in the world, from Microsoft to Amazon Web Services. He is now at the helm of a nationwide effort to drive the planning and adoption of AI across the economy. In this episode of the Commercial Disco, Mr Hickin says the nervousness among SMEs about AI is real, but so is the upside.
Some of the most consequential policy decisions of the Albanese government's current term are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, on data centres, AI and copyright. In this episode of NewsWrap, InnovationAus editor Justin Hendry looks at the policy development process, and unpacks some likely outcomes.
Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy delivered a new Defence industry development strategy (DIDS) to a packed house at the National Press Club this week. There were few surprises, with a focus on the minister's ongoing procurement reform. InnovationAus editor Justin Hendry unpacks the detail.
A 32-year veteran of the Australian Army, Lieutenant-General Michelle McGuinness CSC is Australia's National Cyber Security Coodinator, working as a senior uniformed officer inside the civilian Department of Home Affairs. In this episode of Delivery, she discusses how the tech industry, government and critical infrastructure providers are coming together to make the country more resilient.
In this episode of the Commercial Disco podcast, InnovationAus.com publisher Corrie McLeod talks to Bradfield Development Authority chief executive Ken Morrison and a BDA board member Dr Cathy Foley about how Bradfield City is being built to help Australia turn world-class research into globally competitive industries. They discuss the role of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), the importance of advanced manufacturing and semiconductor packaging, and why creating the right innovation ecosystem could enable more Australian companies to scale, manufacture and grow locally.
In this episode of NewsWrap, InnovationAus editor Justin Hendry digs into the looming policy showdown on AI copyright. The issue has been the subject of blushingly large lobbying campaigns in Canberra, with the policy debate happening largely behind closed doors. The PM says major announcements are scheduled for the middle of July.
Australia's public sector has no shortage of data. The problem is turning it into actionable intelligence. Elastic's A/NZ regional vice president of public sector and education Anna Mascarello steps through the challenge with InnovationAus.com publisher Corrie McLeod on the Commercial Disco(very) podcast.
Australian Federal Police chief technology officer Krissie Auld began her career as an environmental researcher studying water birds, an unusual starting point for a leader charged with operating cutting edge infrastructure for a key national security agency. In this episode, Ms Auld talks candidly about horizon scanning strategies, and how she engages with industry to keep across the best available tech.
In a big week for tech news, James Riley and Justin Hendry talk through Pauline Hanson's populist grab for AI job displacement unhappiness, the CGT changes and the Trump administration's Anthropic export control bombshell.
In this episode of Delivery, Digital Canberra deputy director-general Bettina Konti talks through the task of consolidating a fragmented government technology environment into a whole-of-government digital capability.
In this weekly review of technology and innovation policy news, Senior Reporter Joseph Brookes discusses landmark speeches from Industry minister Tim Ayres and assistant minister for the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton on the federal government's data centre expectations. James Riley talks DefenceTech with Major-General Mick Ryan.
