Progress by two international university research collaborations has seen their projects extended by two years with funding from Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF). The Australian project teams will receive $2 million each to expand work under the Australia—US Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (AUSMURI) program. Griffith University, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University…
By Peter Roberts The pieces are beginning to fall into place for the production of mRNA vaccines in Victoria, and possibly Queensland. Driven by the success of the first vaccine’s developed using the novel technology by Pfizer and Moderna, both states are backing local mRNA technology development, with Victoria in April committing $50 million. A…
Senate rejects ARENA fossil fuel plans The Senate took advantage of the absence of Senator Pauline Hanson to reject government plans to extend the remit of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to allow it to invest in so-called ‘low-emissions technologies’. The opposition, greens and cross-benchers feared this would divert funds set aside for investment in…
Perth shipbuilder Austal has snared its third contract from the US Navy in less than one month, announcing it will develop a preliminary design under the USN’s light amphibious warship (LAW) program. The navy envisages a fleet of between 28 and 30 LAW warships to support the Marine Corps from 2023. The requirement is for…
Our editorial series – Equipping Australia’s armed forces – continues today with a profile of an ambitious consortium of 23 Australian SMEs developing a complete C4 communications and control system for the army. Here Peter Roberts looks at the C4 Edge consortium. In the last week of November this year a partnership between 23 Australian…
Australian Dairy Nutritionals Group has announced that installation of infant formula production equipment will be completed by the end of the month at its new $6 million plant nearing completion at the Camperdown dairy park in south-west Victoria. Commissioning works will then begin along with the installation of the final section of roofing. Operations are…
By Alexander May Over the past few years, the ongoing effects of globalisation have changed the manufacturing landscape in Australia, resulting in increased offshoring and importing. This has led to Australia ranking near the bottom in the OECD for manufacturing self-sufficiency, due to a significant amount of manufactured equipment and goods being sourced from overseas.…
Uncrewed surface vessel (USV) manufacturer Ocius has christened the last of five USV’s it is building under a $3 million Defence innovation contract. The Bluey, Brizo and Beacon were christened at the company’s factory on the UNSW Randwick Campus. Attending the ceremony were RADM Pete Quinn, Senator Holly Hughes standing in for Hon Melissa Price…
By Joseph Brookes The New South Wales government will commit nearly half a billion dollars in today’s budget to the uptake of electric vehicles, including limited $3,000 rebates and the removal of stamp duty on some new cars. The reforms will bring down the cost of a new electric vehicle by as much as $5,500…
Our series – Equipping Australia’s armed forces – continues today with a focus on deepening relationships between defence prime contractors and relatively small Australian SMEs. Peter Roberts profiles Lockheed Martin Australia and Varley Group. It is easy to trace back the increasing complexity of relationships between foreign prime contractors and local SME suppliers to a…