ED HUSIC, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE: Hello, everyone. I just want to also start by acknowledging the Terramerragal and Gammeraigal people of the of the Guringai nation.

You see, I think I’m [indistinct]. I’m always saying, recognising the Dharug people, I come from a part of the Sydney that hosts one of the largest First Nations communities in the country. Not many people recognise that and [indistinct]. It’s a source of pride for me and for us. 

And I was going to also point out too, that for us, and in terms of what we are thinking here, the big thing is for me and looking at the breadth of what we’re doing as a nation, is about empowering us by valuing our ideas from wherever they come from. And from my point of view, if I can say, I am committed to ensuring that in particularly in all the work I do as Minister for Science, we pay respect to First Nations knowledge. So, in the National Science Priorities that we’ve released for consultation, I have said that we need to include those priorities for First Nations knowledge. But the reason is not because it’s a feel-good thing; this is to correct a historical wrong. You talked about it today. This was part of what I call the project with disconnecting them from the land at so many levels. 

SPEAKER: I was going to say sometimes I hold up a $50 note for people. 

ED HUSIC: You hold up a $50 note for people? 

SPEAKER: Yes, with David Unaipon on there; he was an inventor. 

ED HUSIC: Yeah. Not many people hold up $50 notes when I speak. [Laughter] 

But the other thing is, too, is due to a disconnect from land, [is a disconnection from] language. Through language, no storytelling and transmitting between generations, not just those stories but lessons about how land behaves and how humans behave with it. Just take the time to do a bit of reading. I know it’s contentious but Bruce Pascoe did a mighty thing in opening our eyes in terms of Dark Emu, or you go and read as well in terms of the way – like, I think it’s important for the country to think a lot about this stuff, about the treatment of First Nations people – Truganini by Cassandra Pybus, a very powerful piece of work, as well as Stan Grant’s Talking to My Country. Very important. But Bruce Pascoe’s work, in particular, making us think about all those things that you mentioned in the fish traps as well, understanding that that was the ecosystem of work that was being done on stolen land.

I’m sorry it took a bit of time, but I think we’re at this point in our history of our nation that respecting knowledge is really important from wherever it comes from, and that is what I’m trying to advocate as the new Minister for Science and as our Government is very committed to [indistinct] too. 

I was given a tour of NMI’s [National Measurement Institute’s] very impressive facilities, and thank you so much, Bruce [Warrington], for that. I very much respect that NMI scientists were early practitioners of quantum science and have over many years developed and used internationally recognised quantum-based measurement standards to provide Australia its highest accuracy standards for industry and Government needs. Its expertise is considerable, and I’m truly, honestly delighted they are working with CSIRO, other stakeholders, in the development of measurement infrastructure to underpin the quantum sector, including the standards, protocols, instruments, benchmarking and validation. 

Quantum has been a longstanding interest of mine. Its application has the potential to transform industries, change the way we do business, provide more secure and improved customer experiences, provide high quality jobs. And I constantly emphasise that for Australia to continue to prosper, we need to be at the forefront of the development and adoption of new technologies. We need to be makers, not just consumers, of advanced technologies, and in quantum we have got the opportunity to be just that – makers. 

And if I may extend to Larry [Marshall] and to Bronwyn [Fox] and the entire CSIRO team, the way that you are all working together, but also the work that you are championing in your own way, is massively important for the long term, not just the prosperity – prosperity’s important, absolutely, because you notice it when it ain’t there. Prosperity is important for the wellbeing of the nation, and I’m very grateful for the fact that so many of you in here are championing and advocating and progressing the country on that. 

The other thing, too, we need to talk a lot more of is the fact that we are a globally recognised leader in quantum. At the forefront of quantum technology R&D, contributing to breakthroughs for over two decades. International research institutions, investors, companies, consumers of quantum technology, all seeking out Australian expertise. Our talent is behind many existing and emerging quantum applications. These include quantum random number generators for security and sensors for mining, signal engineering. There are more than 19 quantum related companies in Australia which have received combined funding and investment of over $400 million in recent years, spanning investments across the breadth and types, hardware, software – I’m very grateful, Larry, that you reflected on that in your opening remarks, because we have been very focused on software, and getting the hardware in right, absolutely, particularly when we are talking about quantum – sensing, communications encryption and materials. 

And this evening we will hear from CSIRO the updated economic modelling for the sector, reaffirming quantum as an economically significant ecosystem not just for this country but for the world. And I’m telling you all, if you don’t mind me being so pointed, that the Australian Government wants to build on this, and I want to make sure we’re at the front of the quantum pack. 

We have this great moment in time, and can I tell you – I know this sounds like a weird thing – it absolutely burns me, when I just recall how there were five countries in the 1940s that built their own computer, and we were one of them and we just gave it all away. We didn’t pursue our ambitions, too constrained, and we didn’t go through to make sure that we could manufacture, develop growth at scale, and it is something, can I tell you, I’m utterly obsessed and focused about, not just in terms of the quantum but the broader thing. 

Larry was talking – the things you were talking about the things we could do. I want us, every single one of us, to be able to champion people beyond this room to not think small, to value Australian ideas, to have faith in each other and that the ability of us to work together to scale Australian ideas, because what I see in quantum tells me that if we get this right, we can be world leaders, and not just to go for the small parts of the value chain. 

We’re always – we’re not going to be able to do much, let’s just go with big. Let’s think big, because in terms of what the Government wants to do with respect to ideas, skills, capital, joining all this up, we want to be able to lever off what you’re able to do and do this at scale. That is the biggest thing that in particular I could go through in terms of this speech, and I will – but the biggest thing that we all need to work on, particularly outside, is to tell people why quantum is a big deal, why this will be so transformative, why it will open up opportunity when it’s applied in particular ways, and I think a lot in terms of computing, and I know that there’s a lot more that quantum can do. But the more – I’ve said often, the more processing power that you can unlock, pair with AI for instance – and I know that’s just my layman’s way of looking at it, or layperson’s way of looking at it – but what that could do for applying for the common good in terms of opening up new ways, new medicines for example as we’ve reflected on in times past, and changing the way that we lived and improving wellbeing is massively important. 

And I just want you to know that you’ve got a Government that is thinking a lot about this. I am right about it if you want to say it that way [indistinct] and to others, if we get this right, it will be huge. It’s why, for example, we set aside in the National Reconstruction Fund – $1 billion in the Critical Technologies Fund, particularly to be able to support any of the emerging ideas in quantum that we can bring to life. I mean, who has been saying we’ll put that much money aside? You talk about venture capital. I mean, I was chilled to the bone seeing the other day venture capital in this country has contracted in one year by 75 per cent – one year – and angel investment has contracted for consecutive years, and we can’t afford that. And this is why the Government is moving in the way that we are to provide that layer of capital. 

As I said, your ideas, paired with the investment in skill that we’re doing, plus that layer of capital to make sure that people don’t feel like at the point they’re ready to grow, the only way they can do it is to say goodbye to this country, because no one believes here. And I’m saying to you, and that’s why I keep emphasising the point: belief in idea, belief in each other, will be really important longer term for the nation and it will back up in hard ways through the investment, as I said, in skills and investment through capital to make all this a reality. 

So, I am very much looking forward to today. If I can, in particular – it’s always dangerous when you start singling people out. I did it with you, Larry, but this is on your turf, and I’m sorry, Bruce, yours too. I always pick the host. But can I also extend a shout-out – I often embarrass her when I walk in and she’s waiting to catch up with me in meetings, and I say, “Where’s our national treasure?” It’s often – there you go, straight away. [Laughter] Chief Scientist. But in the time that I have, in the short time that I’ve been here, Cathy [Foley], the pride and warmth that is extended in people knowing your connection here is palpable. You sense it straightaway. And we are very grateful for the fact that particularly in quantum, not just your expertise, but, if I may say, your passion to do what you can in the national [indistinct] in this space. 

That is why you’re our current national treasure. Thank you so much for your belief and your persistence in what you’re doing as the nation’s Chief Scientist, and if I may at this point, thank each and every one of you for what you are doing for this country. I can say from the Prime Minister down, we very much value and respect what you’re doing, and we want to be able to be there to encourage you to do even better. Thank you so much. 

ENDS