Media Release - Albanese Government needs to stop the quantum drift

Quantum drift is a known scientific phenomenon – it is also an apt description of the Albanese Government’s approach to our national strategy for quantum technologies, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Science, Paul Fletcher MP, said today.

“As a first step, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic must release the National Quantum Strategy,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The final draft of the Strategy was handed to Minister Husic in December last year but the Albanese government has decided to keep it secret.

“Australia is a world leader in quantum technologies, but the lack of direction on it to date from the Albanese Government is risking our status and ability to compete.

“Quantum is not something read about in a science-fiction novel - it is increasingly vital to our economic and national security.  

“On visits to the Universities of Sydney, Queensland, Adelaide and New South Wales respectively, and to quantum tech company Q-CTRL in Sydney, I have seen the extraordinary work being done in this field – and the clear need for alignment between industry and government to catalyze commercialisation of this emerging technology.

“Quantum was a big priority for the previous Coalition Government. Work on the National Quantum Strategy, designed to drive private sector investment in the emerging sector, began under the Coalition Government in November 2021 and progressed to formal consultation in April 2022.

“We invested in the Quantum Commercialisation hub to foster strategic partnerships with like-minded countries to commercialise Australia’s quantum research and help businesses access new markets and investors.

“We signed a Joint Statement on cooperation in Quantum Science and Technology with the United States, aiming to enhance each country’s quantum industry capabilities through improved market access and knowledge sharing.

“Importantly, there is a strong focus on quantum in the AUKUS partnership, first established by the Coalition Government in 2021.

“The Albanese government and Minister Husic need to get serious about backing Australian quantum science and businesses and release the National Quantum Strategy as a priority,” Mr Fletcher said.

ENDS