Business

Strategic examination of research and development an opportunity for national growth

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes the federal government’s strategic examination of Australia’s severely underfunded research and development (R&D) sector. Australia is lagging behind our international competitors. Germany, Japan and the United States all spend more than 3% of their GDP on R&D each year. Australia spends about half that at 1.68%. Australia’s R&D spending has been falling over the last decade, from a peak of 2.2% in 2010. Meanwhile, China’s R&D spend has increased from 1.71% in 2010 – around Australia’s current level – to 2.65% of GDP in 2023. The creation and application of knowledge is the cornerstone of national advancement and Australia cannot afford to stand still. ATSE supports the review’s aims of maximising the value of R&D across all sectors, increasing collaboration and linkages between academia, government and industry, and driving greater R&D investment by industry, and welcomes the announcement the independent panel drawn from diverse innovation sectors and perspectives. A strategic boost to languishing government investment will be imperative to enable more investment from all players, including from industry, philanthropy and the states. ATSE CEO Kylie Walker says a comprehensive review of Australia’s full R&D funding landscape is essential for Australia’s long-term prosperity. “This review of research and development is sorely needed to revive a sector that has been neglected for more than a decade.” “We all know the economic benefits of Australian research, every dollar spent on research and development returns $3.50 to the economy. But what should really concern us is the research that does not happen due to a lack of investment, or the new innovations that stay on the shelf as our business investment in R&D languishes.” “This review offers the nation to set the future for Australian innovation, industry and society. It will make sure […]

Tech Council welcomes Federal Government’s review of Australia’s R&D system

The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s strategic review of research and development (R&D) in Australia, which will examine how it can bolster productivity and economic growth. Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP has announced that Tech Council Board Chair Robyn Denholm will Chair an independent panel that will deliver recommendations to strengthen Australia’s R&D system. Tech Council CEO Damian Kassabgi said the review was an opportunity for Australia to better harness the economic and productivity benefits of R&D. “A strategic approach to R&D will increase competition, attract investment and contribute to a more productive and resilient economy,” he said. “The decline in productivity is one of Australia’s biggest economic challenges. To continue enjoying our standard of living, which is among the highest in the world, Australia needs to focus on improving productivity growth. “Lifting investment in R&D can help us turn this around. To maximise the economic and productivity gains, we need a strong R&D system that encourages innovation and supports companies to transform world-class research into commercial success. “While other countries are consistently increasing their investment in technology, Australia isn’t keeping up and our spending on tech investment is actually forecast to fall if we don’t act,” Mr Kassabgi said. Research released by the Tech Council in November showed that lifting investment in R&D and tech adoption could contribute up to $167 billion in GDP by 2035 in productivity gains. Ms Denholm said she was honoured to be appointed Chair of the review. “On behalf of the Tech Council of Australia (TCA), I commend the Government for initiating this independent review to enhance Australia’s R&D framework,” Ms Denholm said. “A robust and forward-looking R&D ecosystem is vital to driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and establishing Australia as a global […]

Sense and Landis+Gyr partner for flexible energy transition in Australia and New Zealand

Sense, a leader in embedded intelligence that transforms the relationship between people, homes and the grid, and Landis+Gyr, a leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions have announced an Asia Pacific regional partnership. The partnership will initially focus on the fast developing Australian and New Zealand markets to support the energy transition to consumer energy resources (CER) systems. Landis+Gyr will extend Sense’s software into the company’s Grid Edge ready smart meters in Australia and New Zealand, leveraging Landis+Gyr’s proven and leading-edge deployments in North America with Sense to provide unprecedented, real-time analytics by utilising high resolution waveform sensing capabilities for utilities and consumers to manage energy more proactively. “The future of the grid is flexible, decarbonised, integrated, and powered by machine learning. With Australia leading the world in the uptake of rooftop solar and more than 80 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity generated by renewables, our partnership with Sense positions Landis+Gyr well to support distribution networks, retailers, metering services providers, and consumers to unlock more benefits from the future flexible grid with real-time insights,” explains David Maclean, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific, Landis+Gyr. With Sense’s machine learning software integrated in Landis+Gyr’s Grid Edge ready smart meters, utilities will have improved visibility on the grid to identify fault conditions, predict peak demand and provide proactive safety alerts that ultimately support the growth and integration of consumer energy resources – areas where utilities need most visibility in the energy transition. For consumers, this will deliver real-time information through the identification of different household devices while integrating with other smart devices such as solar, batteries and EVs, enabling them to monitor, control, and track their energy usage.

Hundreds of scholarships awarded to build STEM skills and grow sector diversity

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is pleased to announce more than 200 scholarship recipients of the nationally recognised Elevate: Boosting diversity in STEM program for 2025. Elevate scholars for 2025 from around the country will receive support to access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) university education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. They will directly contribute to growing the diverse STEM workforce needed to deliver on Australia’s national priorities over coming decades, including the renewable energy transition, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence. ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said with more than 1,500 applications competing in a rigorous selection process, the highly motivated 2025 scholars will no doubt make waves as they move into STEM industries in coming years. “ATSE is incredibly proud to welcome the 2025 Elevate scholars. We’re ready to invest in their personal and professional growth and support them to thrive in STEM-powered careers as they become Australian innovators and make vital contributions in critical sectors.” Elevate launched in 2022 with a foundational investment of $41.2 million from the federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR). It has since grown to welcome new partners including the Defence Science and Technology Group and Snowy Hydro. The partners are recognising the value of the direct engagement they enjoy with scholars as part of their investment in these critical scholarships. Elevate’s unique wrap-around support includes financial assistance, 24-hour psychosocial support, networking, mentoring and skills-building workshops. It sets up scholars to thrive throughout their studies, ensuring that they are ready to take on complex challenges. One hundred and sixty scholars have already benefitted from the unique offerings of the Elevate scholarship, with a retention rate well above the industry average, and glowing reviews about the opportunities it provides. A new scholar in the Leadership Category, Professor […]

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels continue to increase

Global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record high in 2024 but total emissions from fossil fuel and land use changes over the last decade have stabilised, according to the Global Carbon Budget. The report is produced by leading research international organisations, including CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, as part of the Global Carbon Project. It provides an overview of the global carbon cycle, including both natural and human-induced emissions. CO₂ is a long-lived greenhouse gas, and along with methane and nitrous oxide, it leads to human-driven climate change. It can persist for hundreds of years in the atmosphere. CSIRO’s Dr Pep Canadell, Global Carbon Project Executive Director, said the report shows global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels continue to rise despite significant increases in the adoption of renewable energy. “We have seen a 0.8 per cent increase in global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels in 2024, compared to 2023,” Dr Canadell said. “This equates to a total of 37.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ projected to be emitted in the atmosphere from fossil fuel use this year alone.” Key findings: · The growth in 2024 fossil emissions comes on top of a 1.4% growth in 2023 emissions. · CO₂ emissions from land-use changes such as deforestation have on average declined over the past decade. This means total emissions from both fossil fuels and natural sources have stabilised over the last decade. · Globally, fossil fuel CO₂ emissions come from coal (41 per cent), oil (32 per cent) and gas (21 per cent). · China contributed 32 per cent of total global CO₂ emissions, followed by the United States (13 per cent), India (8 per cent) and the European Union (7 per cent). · By the end of 2024, CO₂ concentrations are projected to reach 422.5 parts per […]

Science breakthrough using plants as fuel without impacting food security

CSIRO’s Dr Thomas Vanhercke, has been working on the project for more than a decade, An Australian-led scientific breakthrough to increase oil yield from plants will help advance the production and use of biofuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel. Developed over a decade by scientists from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, the technology was acquired by Australian agricultural innovation company Nufarm. The Biomass Oil Project has Nufarm leading a new global research partnership to further develop the technology. Oils from plants are produced by specialised seeds and fruits, but CSIRO scientists looked at extending that to the biomass of the plant, including the leaves and stem. CSIRO’s Dr Thomas Vanhercke, who has been working on the project for more than a decade, said the technology would have the potential to create an important new global energy source. “We were inspired to develop this technology in response to the world’s need for increased production of plant oil without impacting on food security,” Dr Vanhercke said. “With CSIRO’s existing expertise in the area and the partnership with Nufarm on the Omega-3 canola project, we started thinking about how to extend that to the challenge of developing industrial scale feedstock oil from plants. “We took the genetics for seed oil production and incorporated them across a range of crops with promising success.” Current project lead, Dr Xue-Rong Zhou, said the world-leading research in boosting oil yield from plants is a major breakthrough for Australia and beyond. “This development of new biofuels and renewable oils will support a sustainable future,” Dr Zhou said. “We are looking forward to working with Nufarm and our global research partners to deploy the technology into high biomass energy cane and sorghum varieties and make it a reality.” Nufarm CEO, Greg Hunt, said the company is now bringing together researchers […]

Peggy Renders, Chief Customer Officer, Telstra Enterprise AUS MN

Telstra report uncovers Australia’s $53 billion opportunity in senior leader connection

One in three leaders of large organisations have no external professional network Disconnected leaders could be costing organisations $15.5 million annually Telstra launches new cross-industry connection initiative New research by Telstra has found a lack of connection between senior business and public sector leaders could mean a missed opportunity of about $53 billion in revenue annually across large Australian organisations. Telstra’s Return on Connection report quantifies the value of human-to-human connection for leaders, their organisation and the industries they support, and found Australia has a major collaboration opportunity for leaders facing into big and complex challenges. Conducted by YouGov, the report’s survey of more than 1000 senior leaders across large businesses and public sector organisations found: 1 in 3 have no professional network of peers outside of their organisation. Organisations with highly connected leaders[1] saw revenue growth 5% higher on average compared to less connected organisations[2]. A growth gap of around $15.5 million in lost opportunity in the past year on average for large organisations surveyed with lower levels of connected leaders – or $53 billion across all large Australian businesses. Telstra Enterprise Chief Customer Officer, Peggy Renders, said the opportunity for Australian industry and government to better connect was enormous. “Connection is in our Telstra DNA, it’s what we do. Our networks connect Australia – and our incredible country to the world,” Ms Renders said. “But it’s people that give purpose to technology, and it’s the connection that our connectivity enables that we are so passionate about. We see the power of connection, in all forms, as vital in strengthening and evolving Australia, our businesses and our industries.” She said that Telstra’s research not only put a dollar value on leader-to-leader connection, it found better collaboration led to increased problem solving and innovation. “We asked Australian leaders about what’s […]

ICN Victoria celebrates 40 years of supporting local Victorian businesses and workers

Since its founding in 1984 as the Industrial Supplies Office (ISO), ICN Victoria has supported local businesses through supply chain intelligence and facilitating government and industry networks, and connected thousands of local suppliers with major projects, ensuring the sustained growth of Victoria’s manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, and advanced technology. The Hon. Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Jobs and Industry said the anniversary was an important milestone. “For 40 years, ICN Victoria has supported local businesses to get a fair go at work on government projects.” “Local Jobs First – Australia’s longest standing industry participation policy – is designed to maximise jobs and economic benefits from our major projects pipeline, and ICN Victoria has played a key role in identifying and connecting local businesses to these projects.” Nick Foa, CEO, ICN Victoria, said the organisation had played a critical role in shaping Victoria and supporting the delivery of signature projects that define the state, including the MCG redevelopment, Southern Cross Station, and the State Library. “Over the last decade alone, it has contributed more than $3 billion in economic value to the state, worked with 30,000 small businesses, and helped generate some 256,000 new jobs. “As the Victorian economy has evolved from a manufacturing, textiles and automotive focus in the early 1980s to what we see today – including advanced manufacturing, medtech, and renewable energy generation – ICN Victoria has evolved with it. “Today ICN Victoria has more than 54,000 businesses in its network and a team of specialist advisers working across industry sectors, including renewable energy, housing, construction, advanced manufacturing, and medtech and biotech as well as Victoria’s key regional hubs –Ballarat, Geelong, Northern Victoria and Gippsland.

Lantek helps Kanyana Engineering provide exceptional service

Kanyana Engineering has followed a policy of providing unique sheet metal services at its Greenfields, Western Australia manufacturing facility since its formation in 1997. Graham Dawe, Managing Director says, “We started this process with a 100 ton press capable of bending 6mm material when our competitors could only bend 3mm material.” This policy is continuing and now the company has progressed from high tolerance plasma cutting to fibre laser cutting with a 15kW 1.5m x 3m Bystronic Bystar and the first Bystronic 20kW Penta laser with 2.5m x 6m bed in Western Australia. This machine can cut 50mm mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, giving the company the largest job shop capacity in the region. The capabilities of the company make it sought after for supplying civil, mining, industrial, construction and creative arts projects. The variety is huge and includes balustrades for the Kalbarri Skywalk which soars 100m above the Murchison River Gorge and mining refuge chambers which are designed to protect miners in an emergency. As part of its pursuit of excellence, Managing Director, Graham Dawe understood that software and the integration of the company’s systems was crucial to his plan. “I had experience from a previous computer business and wanted a fully integrated CAD/CAM and ERP system. With Lantek, this was all possible and we went for the full suite of Lantek Expert, Flex 3D and Integra straight away. “We can take DXF files and 3D models directly from the customer and use the system to nest parts, program the lasers and calculate a consistent and accurate price for the job, irrespective of who creates the quotation, always offering our best price in a matter of a few minutes.” Stock material is stored within the system as are remnants from previous jobs so the company knows what is […]

Partnership to revolutionise sustainable building materials industry

Wandarra Pty Ltd and Hexcore Pty Ltd’ strategic partnership combines Wandarra’s expertise in industrial hemp production with Hexcore’s innovative hemp composite technologies, setting a new standard for eco-friendly construction solutions. This partnership aims to transform the industrial hemp construction industry across Australia, in doing so addressing the Australian Government’s key initiatives in Carbon Reduction Emission and Housing Construction targets, supporting environmental sustainability by leveraging Wandarra’s regional resources and Hexcore’s cutting-edge technologies. Wandarra Pty Ltd, “BEyond Green”, is a leader in vertical integration of industrial hemp cultivation and processing, bringing in its cutting-edge ThriveTech™ – “Grow Better Now” and Trace360™ – “Seeds to Success” platforms to the table. These technologies ensure maximum yield, quality and traceability, making Wandarra a pioneer in the hemp industry. . Key Highlights of the Joint Venture: Innovative Products: The collaboration will focus on developing a new range of hemp-based construction materials that offer superior strength, durability, and sustainability. Environmental Impact: By leveraging the carbon-sequestering properties of hemp, the joint venture aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects whilst improving the regenerative properties of soil used for hemp crops. Economic Growth: This partnership is set to boost the North Queensland economy by creating advanced manufacturing jobs, creating long term demand for hemp crops with regional farms, alleviate building material shortages, investing in critical infrastructure and regional development. Research and Development: Both companies will pool their R&D resources to drive innovation and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving sustainable materials market. Hexcore Pty Ltd, renowned for its range of existing sustainable hemp composite materials, has been at the forefront of creating high-performance, eco-conscious construction products. Their commitment to reducing the environmental footprint aligns perfectly with Wandarra’s mission.

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