Business

Australia announces world first responsible AI Network to uplift industry

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Network, is a world-first cross-ecosystem program to support Australian companies in using and creating AI ethically and safely. AI is expected to be worth $22.17 trillion to the global economy by 2030, but poorly developed AI solutions can have serious consequences, from data and privacy breaches to ethical issues. The network will be the gateway for Australia’s industries to uplift its practice of responsible AI. Bringing together a national community of practice, guided by world leading expert partners, and enabling Australian businesses with best practice guidance, tools and learning modules, the network is centred around six core pillars: Law, Standards, Principles, Governance, Leadership and Technology. Established by the National AI Centre, initial Knowledge Partners of the Responsible AI Network include the Australian Industry Group, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), CEDA, CSIRO’s Data61, Standards Australia, The Ethics Centre, The Gradient Institute, The Human Technology Institute, and the Tech Council of Australia. National AI Centre Director Stela Solar said the Responsible AI Network would help Australian businesses make the most of the trillion-dollar opportunity presented by AI technologies. “No country in the world has yet worked out responsible AI, but Australia is taking a big step forward by collaborating across the ecosystem to share best practice and respond to an evolving regulatory landscape,” Ms Solar said. “We have a sliding doors moment here to build a competitive advantage in responsible AI, and to take it to the world by equipping Australian businesses with the toolkit to build and deploy safe and ethical AI solutions,” she said. The announcement comes at a time when the world is racing to build guardrails for AI development and deployment to ensure responsible AI practices are developed in parallel with a rapidly accelerating AI landscape. “We know from speaking to hundreds of […]

Australia hasn’t figured out low-level nuclear waste storage yet – let alone high-level waste from submarines

Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Within ten years, Australia could be in possession of three American-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines under the AUKUS agreement with the United States and United Kingdom. The following decade, we plan to build five next-generation nuclear submarines. To date, criticism of the deal has largely focused on whether our unstable geopolitical environment and China’s military investment means it’s worth spending up to A$368 billion on eight submarines as a deterrent. But nuclear submarines mean nuclear waste. And for decades, Australia has failed to find a suitable place for the long-term storage of our small quantities of low and intermediate level nuclear waste from medical isotopes and the Lucas Heights research reactor. With this deal, we have committed ourselves to managing highly radioactive reactor waste when these submarines are decommissioned – and guarding it, given the fuel for these submarines is weapons-grade uranium. Where will it be stored? The government says it will be on defence land, making the most likely site Woomera in South Australia. What nuclear waste will we have to deal with? Under this deal, Australia will not manufacture nuclear reactors. The US and later the UK will give Australia “complete, welded power units” which do not require refuelling over the lifetime of the submarine. In this, we’re following the US model, where each submarine is powered by a reactor with fuel built in. When nuclear subs are decommissioned, the reactor is pulled out as a complete unit and treated as waste. An official fact sheet about this deal states Australia “has committed to managing all radioactive waste generated through its nuclear-powered submarine program, including spent nuclear fuel, in Australia”. What does this waste look like? When Virginia-class submarines are decommissioned, you have to pull out the “small” reactor and dispose of it. Small, in this context, is relative. […]

Integrated space and spatial industry key to securing Australia’s future

Industry-led Report A national coalition of leading space and geospatial industry experts have today launched the 2030 Space+Spatial Industry Growth Roadmap, an industry document designed to inform government policymakers to commit to an integrated space and spatial industry to safeguard Australia’s future economic success, societal well-being, and national security. The 2030 Space+Spatial Industry Growth Roadmap lists nine key objectives that must be met to future-proof the nation’s sovereign capabilities in these two vitally important industries – with wide-ranging consequences for tackling climate change, enhancing disaster resilience, strengthening defence, and safeguarding our most critical infrastructure. The Roadmap was developed from extensive industry-wide consultation over 18 months under the leadership of the late Dr Peter Woodgate. It was officially handed over to the Australian Space Agency today as input to its 2040 Vision Roadmap. Acting Chair of the 2030 Space+Spatial Steering Committee, Glenn Cockerton, said the simultaneous growth of the space and spatial industries would profoundly impact the nation’s well-being over the next decade and beyond. “The 2030 Space+Spatial Roadmap represents the lasting legacy of Dr Peter Woodgate and aims to help Australia take advantage of a golden opportunity to bring our national space and spatial industries closer together. The businesses at the intersection of space and spatial have a fundamental role in helping Australia navigate its response to catastrophic bushfires, the impacts of climate change, and the development of recovery plans for the economy following the global pandemic and its impact on our society and the economy.” “This work was conducted under Dr Woodgate’s leadership and was the culmination of over the last few years working across the space, spatial and research sectors. We are proud to be handing over these recommendations to the Australian Space Agency today and hope that the roadmap inspires government at all levels to take immediate […]

The role of ERP in ESG performance reporting

By Jaco Maritz, Chief Executive Officer, SYSPRO In a manufacturing business, measuring ESG standards comes down to tracking internal and external Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance standards. ESG has become a determining factor in access to capital and in the decisions made by consumers and B2B customers. So, it’s not surprising that leaders are taking ESG seriously. EY’s 2022 CEO Outlook indicates that 97 per cent of CEOs say their company has a sustainability strategy. What’s more, 28 per cent believe they will gain valuable competitive advantage by becoming leaders in sustainability. However, before CIOs, CFOs and boards consider technology investment, they should be fully aware of the growing role of ESG in reporting and in boosting corporate performance. As corporate strategy rapidly incorporates ESG, digital strategies must align accordingly. For example, a manufacturing company may commit to improvements in water usage in production processes, carbon emissions, the proportion of its products that are recyclable, and wages and working conditions of employees and contractors. Without a technology strategy that supports the collection of high-quality data along the entire value chain, companies will not be able to report data or demonstrate progress against these commitments. ESG in the supply chain Supply chain sustainability shifts the focus from short-term financial considerations to long-term value creation as well as managing the ESG performance of suppliers. By taking these factors into account, sustainable supply chain management not only benefits the environment but also reduces risks, mitigates impacts and realises reputational and financial benefits such as cost savings, brand goodwill and customer loyalty. Companies with strong ESG performance typically have robust governance frameworks, manage social and environmental risks well and have stronger relationships with suppliers. Prioritising supply chain sustainability can reduce general risks for corporations, including minimising operational disruptions caused by environmental and regulatory risks […]

Shed light on connectors

The Amphenol Socapex SL61 Connector is a robust and reliable 19 ins connector. It is a standard cable type for stage lighting and offers a high strength weight ratio. Used for conducting dimmed power from a dimmer to stage lighting instruments, it can also occasionally power other equipment. It is used in film, television and stage lighting to terminate the multi-cable. The 19 pin connector is UL recognised and is supplied with solder or crimp gold plated contacts and SLG version with seven first mate last break ground contacts provide electrical safety. The connector has a reinforced locking ring, and can be operated up to 600V and in temperatures of -40 C to +85 C. ROHS versions are available with black coating (non conductive) and nickel plating (conductive). The split backshell ensures simple maintenance and wiring, while the metallic monopiece backshell provides an IP67 waterproof sealing for outdoor applications. For more information contact Treotham on 1300 65 75 64 or email info@treotham.com.au https://treotham.com.au/connectors/circular-connectors-for-stage-lighting-industry/monopiece-19pin-25amp-400v-ip67

Women in Construction for Int'l Womens' Day. 28th Feb 2023

Meet the women working in construction at the Australian War Memorial

This International Women’s Day the Australian War Memorial is highlighting some of the key women working on the Development project. Representing a variety of backgrounds, skills and experience, these women bring their expertise to this multi-faceted, long term construction project. All three are motivated by the once-in-a-career opportunity it represents. “I love my job. It’s a job that was made for me. Knowing that you’re part of the story of the next generation of this building is pretty exciting,” Rebecca Conway, Project Manager for the new Southern Entrance, said. “It’s important to see the range of opportunities you can get out of a career in construction. Four out of five project managers working on the development are female, which is a great statistic.” Working alongside Rebecca is Philippa Seldon, Operations Manager (ACT) at Kane Constructions and Founder of the Healthy Tradie Project. With more than 10 years’ experience in the construction sector, Philippa brings an empathetic and innovative approach to her work. “The Healthy Tradie Project was borne out of my brother’s suicide. He was a carpenter and following his death in 2009 it was only natural that I gravitated toward supporting those who I work with every day,” she said. “Every Thursday starts with a pre-start movement session. We see smiles, we see laughter and a huge boost in morale on those days,” Ms Seldon said. Hayley Delmenico, an apprentice electrician, is one of the youngest tradies on site. Growing up in Canberra ensured familiarity with the Memorial; the opportunity to be a part of its development was too good to pass up. “I thought it would be really exciting to be able to work with my hands. This is a very significant place for a lot of people and just being able to say that you worked on it and being proud of it […]

Profile: Hailey Dicker, boilermaker apprentice

On International Woman’s Day 8 March 2023, we invite you to meet Hailey Dicker, who lives in Brisbane. Hailey decided to do a trade because she loves working with her hands, creating things with tools and learning how things work. She was the TAFE Queensland Skills Tech school-based Apprentice of the Year 2022. tafeqld.edu.au Hailey is employed at Barcat Fabrication. “I found that I had no interest to go to university and I couldn’t study for long periods of time. I did work at home with tools, building things, and maintenance, and it has now become my passion to be a boilermaker. “A major challenge I have overcome since the beginning of my apprenticeship last year is self-confidence. I didn’t have much confidence being in a male dominated career but as soon as I began, I gradually gained my confidence and created a new perspective. “Whether it came to “not being strong enough” or “Only males can do that”, I proved myself wrong and now can do almost anything a male can do in the workplace and I give everything a crack to the best of my ability. ‘In five years, I see myself working in the mines saving money and gaining a lot of experience to benefit me in creating my own welding and fabrication business in the future. I see myself saving a deposit for a house and setting myself plenty of short term and long term goals for my ongoing career. “My greatest achievement so far is beginning my career as a Boilermaker apprentice. It has been so inspirational and opened up many opportunities for my future. If it wasn’t for support from my family and friends, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am now. “My experience training with TAFE Queensland has been absolutely fantastic. On […]

Australia’s first road made using recycled coffee cups

A suburban road in Penrith has become the first in Australia, to include recycled coffee cups in its construction. The fibres in the cups are a valuable additive that helps create a superior, more durable product, quieter and safer than regular asphalt. The more sustainable asphalt, known as PAK-PAVE™ Roads, has been developed by State Asphalts NSW in conjunction with Closed Loop Environmental Solutions who operate the Simply Cups paper cup recycling program. The development of PAK-PAVE™ Roads was facilitated through the Commonwealths Cooperative Research Centres Program Grant, involving the University of NSW and has been sanctioned by the NSW EPA and Transport NSW. The pilot project for PAK-PAVE™ Roads will take place along a section of Jamison Road at South Penrith, to be followed soon after by a second at Swallow Drive, Erskine Park. These two projects will utilise over 135,000 recycled paper cups including coffee cups, which is 85% of the paper cups collected for recycling in the Penrith LGA in 2022. In addition to the recycled paper cups, the two PAK-PAVE™ Roads will utilise other recycled materials including the equivalent of 1.2 million glass stubbies, together with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Steel Furnace Slag. Collectively, these materials will comprise more than 50% of the materials used. Sustainability benefits of the PAK-PAVE™ Roads include: Using recycled paper cups as a beneficial additive Improved pavement durability and crack resistance Improved wet weather skid resistance and reduced noise levels from surface texture Improved durability of Stone Mastic Asphalt allows thinner surfacing of roads; where thickness can be reduced the cost per m2 of pavement is also reduced Less raw materials are required 24% reduction in carbon footprint These PAK-PAVE™ Roads in Penrith are true examples of the circular economy in action, where items that were once destined for landfill have been […]

How Australian manufacturers can position themselves for success in an uncertain economy

Rob Cheesman, General Manager Atturra Manufacturing Softening economic conditions have created a challenging time for many Australian businesses. While JP Morgan in their 2023 Business Leaders Outlook: Australia[1] survey shows nearly half of leaders surveyed expect a recession this year, although right now, most modern economies around the world, including Australia, are managing to avoid this economic reckoning. Indeed, when attention turns to the nation’s manufacturing sector, a somewhat mixed picture emerges. Despite the global economic storm clouds that gathered during 2022, many organisations appear to be doing quite well. To some extent, this situation has been supported by a return to local manufacturing. While the Australian dollar has strengthened recently it is still relatively low. This means locally made products are attractive compared to imports. Mixed conditions ahead According to the February Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index[2], economic conditions are “falling rapidly”. However, if we drill further into these numbers, downstream manufacturing seems to be fairing much better. As 2023 unfolds, there are some key factors that will be worth monitoring. Together, they will shape the next 12 months for the entire domestic manufacturing sector. Five of the top factors are: 1. An ongoing increase in costs During 2022, the majority of domestic manufacturing firms appeared to have successfully weathered a period of inflation. Most were able to either absorb increases or pass them on to their customers. However, things could become a little more challenging over the next 12 months. When the rising cost of raw materials is added to increasing energy costs and wage increases, pressure on firms can become more acute. While most manufacturers should be able to continue to manage costs, ongoing rises could still put pressure on business bottom lines. 2. Staff shortages will ease As is the case for firms in other […]

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Sensing the future of energy

Michael Jary – Managing Director, APAC and EMEA, Sense Energy retailer business models have faced extraordinary pressures for over a decade. Even before the war in Ukraine prompted a global crisis in energy markets, retailers were facing a very difficult environment. An inexorable rise in energy costs, together with regulatory intervention and increased customer churn, have eroded retail margins and prompted several exits. Attempts at diversification to adjacent businesses such as home services have often failed because the necessary competencies can be starkly different. At the same time, grid edge intelligence and real-time, appliance-level load disaggregation are generating huge interest in the energy sector. Advances in technology and AI mean that this long heralded technology is now a compelling proposition. Testament to its potential, Sense has recently closed the biggest funding round yet in the sector – a $127m Series C. With millions of next generation smart meters due to roll out with Sense capability in North America, decision makers worldwide are now giving the technology serious consideration for future rollouts. As more than three million Sense-enabled meters begin to roll out in the US, this technology is now coming to Australia, where it can integrate with local smart meters. This is particularly timely, with the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) proposing 100% uptake of smart meters by 2030. Intelligent decisions made today will build an efficient and effective energy monitoring and management system for the future. The benefits to consumers and the energy transition are clear. Sense intelligence represents a powerful tool for reducing both their energy bills and their carbon footprint. It also reduces the overall cost of managing, maintaining, and balancing the energy system. However, the potential to transform retailer business models is what’s seizing the imagination of the industry. So how does Sense intelligence work? Intelligent […]

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