Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

By this motion the coalition are clearly demonstrating they don't think Queenslanders deserve a world-leading project in Queensland that will strengthen the Queensland economy, improve Queensland jobs and increase the attractiveness for private investment in Queensland. The coalition don't believe in a future made in Australia; they certainly don't believe in a future made in Queensland.

Under our plans for A Future Made in Australia, we're going to see our country be able to stand on its own two feet, revitalising our manufacturing and technological muscle that withered under the previous coalition government. That is why, together with the former Queensland Labor government, we committed to invest $470 million in equity and loans in PsiQuantum. This is a world-leading global firm founded by two Australians. Those opposite constantly talk about Silicon Valley. This was founded by two Australians, Jeremy O'Brien and Terry Rudolph. One of them was born and raised in Queensland and both were educated in Queensland. They're two of the world-leading experts in the area of quantum computing.

The sad thing is that every time the member for Bradfield and those opposite call this a US company they're telling Jeremy and Terry, who are two of our smartest Australians, that they don't want them here. They grew up here. They're Australians. The coalition doesn't believe in a future made in Australia and it certainly doesn't believe in a future made in Queensland. These blokes are Australians. Like so many, they had to leave our shores because they didn't get their ideas backed enough. Now they want to bring those ideas back and build the world's first commercial-scale quantum computer in Brisbane in the state of Queensland, my home state. This will mean that PsiQuantum, one of the highest-value quantum computing companies in the world, will establish its Asia-Pacific headquarters and a quantum manufacturing precinct in Queensland, creating 400 new high-paid jobs not just for scientists and experts in quantum computing but for lab technicians, welders, electricians and systems engineers. That's going to be great for Queensland and great for the western corridor outside of Ipswich and Springfield.

They've hit the ground running already, announcing research and education partnerships with five leading Queensland universities. What has the coalition got against Queensland? They're opening a new research and development lab at the Griffith University's Nathan campus in Brisbane and building an Australian team. They're aiming to produce one of the most powerful computers on the planet that can crack problems that conventional computing can't achieve, transforming drug development, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. It means jobs for Australians and jobs for Queensland. It means opportunities for brilliant kids studying in Queensland and around Australia to stay here in Australia rather than—as they, unfortunately, had to do—go with the brain drain overseas. So it's important for Queensland.

Springfield City Group in my electorate is keen to establish a quantum tech education centre in Springfield to train the future workers we're going to need for quantum technology industry and related areas like AI, robotics and machine learning. This is an example of how the PsiQuantum project is unambiguously good for Queensland. It's not just about Brisbane; it's about the regions as well, as I alluded to. It means hundreds of jobs, boosting R&D capabilities and bringing billions of dollars of direct investment in Australia by PsiQuantum—an investment that would have gone overseas. It means billions of dollars in economic opportunity for Queensland and a chance for Queenslanders right across our state to have careers in Queensland that will change the world. It's so disappointing to hear that the new LNP state government is reviewing half of the agreement to fund PsiQuantum. That said, we're working constructively with them on a range of issues that will decide, hopefully, a bipartisan approach. I hope they don't listen to their colleagues and comrades here in Canberra because, if they do, they'll be anti science, anti the future, anti development, anti jobs, and anti advanced manufacturing. They're anti-Australian the way they're going on today! You don't hear a word about the fact that the proponents are two Australians. They're constantly downplaying this.

We have taken a whole-of-government approach. There has been national security and transparency and probity checks in relation to it. All those opposite can say is no to everything. They vote against bills in the chamber that will benefit the country, and today they want to put forward a motion that is anti jobs, anti Queensland and anti economic development. They are turning their back on the future. They are always happy about the past. Go back to Menzies!

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