Leading startup founders in the quantum computing space have been brought in by the Federal Secretary of Industry and Science, Ed Husic, as part of the new advisory committee to drive the National Quantum Strategy.
The 15-member committee, chaired by chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley, will be integral to the effort to coordinate Australia’s quantum capabilities across research, industry and government, Husic said.
Prof. dr. Michael Biercuk, founder of Q-CTRL, Prof. Michelle Simmons, founder of Silicon Quantum Computing, and Dr. Vikram Sharma, founder of Quintessence Labs, are among the committee members.
Local quantum technology could be a $4 billion industry in computing, communications and sensing, according to the CSIRO, creating 16,000 jobs by 2040.
Minister Husic said Australia is a recognized global leader in quantum technology and research and the government plans to deliver a national strategy by the end of 2022.
“We can’t afford to miss out on that competitive advantage,” he said.
“The Albanian government will deliver Australia’s first national quantum strategy, pooling our expertise in research, commercialization and use of quantum technologies to map Australia’s future.
“The $1 billion Critical Technologies Fund, part of the National Reconstruction Fund, will also be available to support quantum industries.”
He announced the creation of the National Quantum Advisory Committee at the annual Pearcey Oration, recognizing the legacy of Dr. Trevor Pearcey, who built Australia’s first digital computer in the 1940s.
“We need to make sure we anchor quantum capacity and value here in Australia. As a minister, my job is not to say what can’t be done, but to drive ambition for what we can achieve together in quantum technology,” he said at the event. .
Q-CTRL CEO and founder Michael Biercuk said quantum technology is Australia’s biggest export opportunity of this generation.
“I am delighted to assist the chief scientist in turning a vision shared by key players in Australia’s quantum industry into a real plan to deliver pride, prosperity and strategic advantage both domestically and among allied nations,” he said.
“The Q-CTRL team is grateful for the government’s action to support our industry and looks forward to working productively with Dr. Foley and Minister Husic.”
The advisory committee is, in alphabetical order:
Professor Michael BiercukQ-CTRL, University of Sydney
Mrs Clare BirchBlackbird
Dr Simon DevittUTS, h-Bar
Professor Bronwyn FoxCSIRO Chief Scientist
Professor Lloyd HollenbergUniversity of Melbourne IBM Quantum Hub
Professor André LuitenQuantX Labs, University of Adelaide
Professor Tanya MonroAustralian Chief Defense Scientist
Professor Ed SantowHuman Technology Institute, UTS
Dr Vikram SharmaAustralian Quantum Alliance (Tech Council of Australia) and Quintessence Labs
Professor Michelle SimmonsSilicon Quantum Computing, UNSW
Mr Mark StickellsPawsey Supercomputing Center
Professor Peter TurnerSydney Quantum Academy, Macquarie University
Mrs Jennifer WestacottAustralia Works Council
Professor Andrew WhiteUniversity of Queensland and ARC Center for Engineered Quantum Systems
