Manufacturers have been subjected to a lot of fearmongering about the perils of cyber attack. But, according to Michael Murphy, Head of Operational Technology and Critical Infrastructure APAC at cyber security solutions, hardware and services company Fortinet: “The threat landscape is very real.” And many Australian companies are neither adequately protected nor do they have…
The federal government’s Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive may have highly restrictive rules and definitions which cut the number of companies eligible for assistance, but for early stage and start up companies it can be a godsend. Available to companies turning over less than $20 million – itself a bone of contention with innovative…
The federal government has declared a new offshore wind zone for electricity generation in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria with trade unions immediately calling for stronger local content rules. This, the third officially declared offshore wind zone in the country, will generate up to 2.8 GW of offshore wind energy, a fact welcomed by…
By Peter Roberts Those questioning the effectiveness of the federal government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund need to look no further than the success of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation initiative. But don’t expect rapid results – the CEFC took a decade to pick up steam and only now is showing the power of catalytic…
Manufacturers must prepare for a cyber attack as all companies are likely to face one, according to Julie Harrison, CEO and Managing Director of Harrison Manufacturing. One of the manufacturing leaders in conversation in our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – Harrison said: “We have the attitude that it is a when,…
Register your interest today to join @AuManufacturing for our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – on Tuesday March 19, 11.00am AEST. Learn how to plan for and respond to cyber security threats to your business from compromised credentials, external contractors or former employees, malicious actors and a lack of a complete understanding…
By Peter Roberts Australia has a modest R&D tax incentive programme which rewards innovative young companies with a tax refund based on their R&D spending. But those same small companies face a refund cliff should they grow too big – the scheme returns tax on the basis of R&D performed only up to a company…
The federal government has today released a plan that defines the strategic rationale for a sovereign defence industrial base and aims to maximise support for Australian industry, including SMEs and its critical contribution to national security. The Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) outlines: Focus areas for the defence industrial base Procurement reforms including simplifying contracting…
By Peter Roberts Much has been written about the Australian universities accord – final report from scientist and engineer Mary O’Kane (pictured). But from an industry innovation point of view her panel’s recommendations fall short of what is needed to kickstart Australia’s fading innovation – and I mean business innovation – performance. National R&D has…
The countdown is on to register to join @AuManufacturing for our latest webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – on Tuesday March 19, 11.00am AEST. There are very real cyber security threats to your business from compromised credentials, external contractors or former employees, malicious actors and a lack of a complete understanding of…