Queensland attracts big data powerhouse CSIRO Data61 to The Precinct

The Palaszczuk Government continues to put Queensland on the map, drawing world-leading big data research and development expertise to the state with a $16.7 million partnership with CSIRO’s Data61.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch announced the agreement today (Tuesday) saying it would generate huge opportunities for government, industry, businesses and startups looking to harness the power of big data.

“Data can fuel new industries, businesses and importantly help to create new jobs. The insights possible from big data can change the way we live, work and innovate,” Ms Enoch said.

“This partnership with Data61 will allow government, industry and businesses to access CSIRO Data61’s expertise in turning complex data into knowledge and using these insights to help create new approaches to service delivery and solve real problems every day.”

As part of the agreement Data61 will create a Functional Programming Open Lab – an Australian first – in Queensland’s new Startup Precinct, opened in Fortitude Valley yesterday.

Ms Enoch said the Functional Programming Open Lab would deliver new job opportunities.

“New jobs are being created in Queensland through this partnership - including 10 engineering positions for the Functional Programing Open Lab,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Startup Precinct will also become the headquarters for Data61’s Foresight Unit, headed by Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, in an Australian-first, to provide a dedicated foresighting capability for the Queensland Government, enabling the state to use analysis of long-term megatrends and data to inform policy decisions.”

Data61 is an anchor tenant in the The Precinct, part of the Palalaszczuk Government's $405 million whole-of-government Advance Queensland initiative designed to supercharge the economy through innovation and create jobs.

Data61 CEO Adrian Turner said: "Queensland’s established digital research strength and its growing startup community makes it well-positioned as a future leader in data-driven innovation.

“This new partnership will ensure Queensland agencies, companies and communities directly benefit from the outstanding research capabilities within Data61, particularly our Insight Team’s ground-breaking work in identifying emerging technology trends, such as Blockchain.” 

Mr Turner described functional programming as ‘a game-changing new direction in coding’.

Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Arthur Sinodinos said: “Innovation is all about the bringing the right people together in the right space to collaborate and ultimately commercialise ideas.

“By harnessing the expertise of CSIRO’s Data61, Queensland will be a leader in functional programming and ultimately deliver benefits for Australia’s competitiveness,” he said.

ENDS

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