Latest news with #MichelleSimmons
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Trump's war on innovation is a golden opportunity for Australia, if we're smart enough to take it
Our productivity growth, the only reliable way to raise living standards, is sclerotic. We now rank 27 out of 31 OECD countries, with the UK and US achieving three times and eight times our growth rate respectively. And with the future of our resource exports growing cloudy, the 'lucky country' might be starting to run out of luck. Jump-starting Australian innovation would give us a chance to break out of this uninspiring position and provide a path to a more prosperous future. Frustratingly, we're on track to squander this opportunity. While competing destinations have launched ambitious programs like the Choose Europe for Science Initiative, backed by €500 million ($881 million), Australia has dragged its feet. A recent proposal to tax unrealised capital gains has spooked start-ups and their investors, and Labor's ongoing desire to cap foreign student numbers actively harms our chances. Loading To reverse course and win the war for global talent, we require a bold, coordinated, 'big push' strategy to ensure that Australia offers the most compelling alternative to the US as a place to discover scientific breakthroughs, develop technologies and build companies. Our big push strategy should target the four key types of individuals that define the best innovation ecosystems: world-class researchers; risk-taking entrepreneurs; high-skilled technical workers and promising young students. We can target each talent category with two types of policy levers. First, make it as easy as possible to choose Australia. For top talent and their families, getting an Australian visa should be a fast and seamless experience. Labor's National Innovation Visa is a good start but is too restrictive; it could be significantly expanded, for example by removing the 'invitation only' requirement and introducing a fast track for affected Harvard scholars. Supply-side housing action to address the ongoing crisis, such as zoning reform, is long overdue to make Australia welcoming to new migrants. Select new arrivals could merit limited financial support to smooth the transition, and for top professors who bring research affiliates in tow – think of the benefits we have seen from international researchers like Professor Michelle Simmons basing their careers in Australia – tailored incentive packages would provide excellent bang for the public buck. Second, invest in the success of Australian-based innovators. For scientists, that means aggressively reversing the decline in R&D funding that Robyn Denholm, chair of the ongoing National R&D Review, has called a 'national emergency'. Opportunities to fund 'shovel-ready' research projects cut by the US are plentiful. For entrepreneurs and high-skilled workers, selective support for companies in high-potential or strategic sectors such as public offtake agreements, can support the growth of new products and businesses. These policies can be targeted at places where Aussie innovators have already proved their strength. Hubs such as Melbourne's biotech district, Sydney's SaaS (Software as a Service) scene, or the Gold Coast's growing space industry provide natural focal points for new talent to coalesce and amplify. Labor's historic election victory has given them a rare licence to invest in a better, more exciting future. For Albanese and Chalmers, who have publicly committed to solve our productivity crisis, this opportunity to boost innovation in Australia couldn't have come at a better time. They should seize the chance to do so.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump's war on innovation is a golden opportunity for Australia, if we're smart enough to take it
Our productivity growth, the only reliable way to raise living standards, is sclerotic. We now rank 27 out of 31 OECD countries, with the UK and US achieving three times and eight times our growth rate respectively. And with the future of our resource exports growing cloudy, the 'lucky country' might be starting to run out of luck. Jump-starting Australian innovation would give us a chance to break out of this uninspiring position and provide a path to a more prosperous future. Frustratingly, we're on track to squander this opportunity. While competing destinations have launched ambitious programs like the Choose Europe for Science Initiative, backed by €500 million ($881 million), Australia has dragged its feet. A recent proposal to tax unrealised capital gains has spooked start-ups and their investors, and Labor's ongoing desire to cap foreign student numbers actively harms our chances. Loading To reverse course and win the war for global talent, we require a bold, coordinated, 'big push' strategy to ensure that Australia offers the most compelling alternative to the US as a place to discover scientific breakthroughs, develop technologies and build companies. Our big push strategy should target the four key types of individuals that define the best innovation ecosystems: world-class researchers; risk-taking entrepreneurs; high-skilled technical workers and promising young students. We can target each talent category with two types of policy levers. First, make it as easy as possible to choose Australia. For top talent and their families, getting an Australian visa should be a fast and seamless experience. Labor's National Innovation Visa is a good start but is too restrictive; it could be significantly expanded, for example by removing the 'invitation only' requirement and introducing a fast track for affected Harvard scholars. Supply-side housing action to address the ongoing crisis, such as zoning reform, is long overdue to make Australia welcoming to new migrants. Select new arrivals could merit limited financial support to smooth the transition, and for top professors who bring research affiliates in tow – think of the benefits we have seen from international researchers like Professor Michelle Simmons basing their careers in Australia – tailored incentive packages would provide excellent bang for the public buck. Second, invest in the success of Australian-based innovators. For scientists, that means aggressively reversing the decline in R&D funding that Robyn Denholm, chair of the ongoing National R&D Review, has called a 'national emergency'. Opportunities to fund 'shovel-ready' research projects cut by the US are plentiful. For entrepreneurs and high-skilled workers, selective support for companies in high-potential or strategic sectors such as public offtake agreements, can support the growth of new products and businesses. These policies can be targeted at places where Aussie innovators have already proved their strength. Hubs such as Melbourne's biotech district, Sydney's SaaS (Software as a Service) scene, or the Gold Coast's growing space industry provide natural focal points for new talent to coalesce and amplify. Labor's historic election victory has given them a rare licence to invest in a better, more exciting future. For Albanese and Chalmers, who have publicly committed to solve our productivity crisis, this opportunity to boost innovation in Australia couldn't have come at a better time. They should seize the chance to do so.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flex to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conference
AUSTIN, Texas, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) has announced members of its leadership team will participate in the upcoming investor conference: Bank of America 2025 Global Technology Conference Date: June 4, 2025Presentation time: 1:20pm PT / 4:20pm ET The presentation will be available as a live webcast accessible through the Flex Investor Relations website at An archived replay will be available on the website shortly after the conclusion of the presentation. About Flex Ltd. Flex (Reg. No. 199002645H) is the manufacturing partner of choice that helps a diverse customer base design and build products that improve the world. Through the collective strength of a global workforce across 30 countries and responsible, sustainable operations, Flex delivers technology innovation, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions to diverse industries and end markets. Media, Investors & AnalystsMichelle SimmonsSenior Vice President, Investor and Public Relations(669) View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Flex Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
29-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Silicon Quantum Computing CEO on Quantum Industry
Michelle Simmons, Founder and CEO at Silicon Quantum Computing, discusses the landscape for quantum computing. She speaks with David Ingles from the sidelines of the 'UBS Asian Investment Conference' in Hong Kong. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Silicon Quantum Computing CEO on Quantum Industry
Michelle Simmons, Founder and CEO at Silicon Quantum Computing, discusses the landscape for quantum computing. She speaks with David Ingles from the sidelines of the "UBS Asian Investment Conference" in Hong Kong.
