The Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic MP, has announced the National Quantum Advisory Committee that will help drive Australia’s National Quantum Strategy.

The 15-person committee, chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO, will be an integral part of the push to coordinate Australia’s quantum capability across research, industry and government. Minister Husic also said the strategy will be delivered by the end of the year.

CSIRO conservatively estimates quantum technology in Australia could be a $4 billion industry in computing, communications and sensing, creating 16,000 jobs by 2040.

Minister Husic said: “Australia is a recognised global leader in quantum technology and research. We cannot afford to let that competitive advantage slip.

“The Albanese Government will deliver Australia’s first National Quantum Strategy, bringing together our expertise in research, commercialisation and use of quantum technologies to chart Australia’s future.

“The $1 billion critical technologies fund, part of the National Reconstruction Fund, will also be available to support quantum industries.”

Minister Husic announced the formation of the National Quantum Advisory Committee in Melbourne on Wednesday evening during the annual Pearcey Oration, which acknowledges the legacy of Dr Trevor Pearcey, who built Australia’s first digital computer in the 1940s.

“We need to ensure we embed quantum capability and value here in Australia. As Minister, it is not my job to say what can’t be done, but to drive ambition for what we can achieve together in quantum technology,” he told the Pearcey Foundation.

The advisory committee, in alphabetical order by surname:

Professor Michael Biercuk, Q-CTRL, University of Sydney

Ms Clare Birch, Blackbird

Dr Simon Devitt, UTS, h-Bar

Professor Bronwyn Fox, CSIRO Chief Scientist

Professor Lloyd Hollenberg, University of Melbourne IBM Quantum Hub

Professor Andre Luiten, QuantX Labs, University of Adelaide

Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist

Professor Ed Santow, Human Technology Institute, UTS

Dr Vikram Sharma, Australian Quantum Alliance (Tech Council of Australia) and Quintessence Labs

Professor Michelle Simmons, Silicon Quantum Computing, UNSW

Mr Mark Stickells, Pawsey Supercomputing Centre

Professor Peter Turner, Sydney Quantum Academy, Macquarie University

Ms Jennifer Westacott, Business Council of Australia

Professor Andrew White, University of Queensland and ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems

Media contact: Minister Husic's office 02 6277 7070