Address to Go1 Global HQ, Logan, Queensland

Let me begin by acknowledging the elders, customs and traditions of the Yugambeh and Yagara people –

And by thanking those of you here supporting a Voice for First Nations people –

Which is all about recognition, and listening, and working together to make a positive difference in our communities.

Thank you to Vu Tran, really proud to call him a mate but prouder still of the faith he shows in our local community –

And today above all is an expression of that faith.

To both Kates, Pounder and Jones, it means a lot to us that you’re here.

To Tom, to everybody at the Tech Council who’s played a role in bringing the inaugural National Tech Summit to Queensland.

Thanks one and all.

I’m told that tickets have sold out – and that’s no surprise.

The opportunity to hear from the most prominent leaders in Australian tech –

To grapple with the specific challenges you face –

And to look forward to what tech can contribute to this defining decade –

Is a pretty cherished one.

So it’s a big honour for me to be asked to contribute –

To be surrounded by representatives from your industry, policy experts from across government – state and federal –

As we gather to officially open Go1’s Global Headquarters right here in our local community, in Logan City.

Go1 in our community

Vu, Andrew, the two Chris’ and the whole team from Go1 are true pioneers of the Australian tech scene –

They’ve turned a kernel of an idea into an opportunity –

An opportunity into more than a thousand jobs –

Across 22 countries –

And are valued at around $3.5 billion.

They’re also proud to call Logan City home –

And Logan City is proud of them.

Vu and the team have welcomed us here a number of times over the years –

And one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about that is getting an update on their plan for the Global HQ.

And it’s really wonderful to see that come to fruition.

This new HQ means more jobs right here in our community –

Supporting the growth of the local economy.

It means more opportunities for this part of the world to benefit and learn from the 100‑strong team of global executives, software developers and product designers that will work here day in, day out –

This brings together two things absolutely central to our future growth – technology and the suburbs.

And it means we’ve taken a big step forward in realising the potential of south‑east Queensland as an innovation hub.

That’s a vision that I know Go1 have had ever since they started –

One they share with Julia Spicer, the Palaszczuk government, with Logan City Council –

And I’ve seen first‑hand what they’re doing to make it a reality.

Just next door is the coLab Growth Hub –

A space where local start‑ups can come together, network, and get the support that they need to grow.

Go1 partnered with Logan City Council and the Network for Global Innovation to make it happen –

Which is typical of their generosity, their community‑mindedness –

And their whole reason for being.

One thing that always strikes me when talking to anybody from Go1 –

Is their determination to broaden horizons.

It underpins everything that they do –

From their brilliant work in the community –

The mentorship that they offer to local start‑ups hoping to emulate them –

And in their business model as well.

A tremendously successful one, based on getting companies and their employees, access to the skills that they need to grow, develop and expand –

In areas like energy, care, the broader services economy –

And of course, in digital and tech.

The Albanese Government’s digital agenda

I speak of broadening horizons both to pay tribute to the work of Go1 –

And because it so neatly captures what our government is trying to do when it comes to digital –

Under the PM’s leadership, with Ed Husic playing a key role, supported by every member of the ministry.

You all know that digitisation and new developments in technology have the potential to transform and inform everything that we do –

Shifting how we work, what we produce, and who we produce it for.

We need to make these changes work for us –

In ways that broaden the horizons of our economic potential –

Which is exactly what we’re doing.

One, making key investments in developing our skills base –

Two, encouraging greater adoption of technology –

And three, building trust in AI through safe and responsible uptake.

Nobody here needs reminding that the Australian tech sector won’t thrive in the way we want it to unless we address skills shortages –

And we’re working with you to make progress here.

Over the past year, we’ve announced the Digital and Tech Skills Compact, which will partner with you and unions to understand where the gaps are and how we can fill them –

Allocated $3.7 billion for a new, revamped five‑year national skills agreement with the states and territories –

And created 300,000 fee‑free TAFE places to train our people for work in tech and other critical emerging sectors.

Training our own people to make the most of these opportunities remains our primary focus –

But migration is also something we need to get right – to make it work in our interests –

And that understanding will be reflected in the redesigned system Clare O’Neil is working on –

So, that our people can benefit and learn from, the best talent from overseas.

An expanded skills base is a big part of how we’re going to maximise the opportunities of digital in the years ahead –

But we’ll need to combine it with the right levels of technological adoption.

For innovations in tech to meaningfully improve our productivity trajectory –

They need to spread throughout the economy –

Which is why we’ve dedicated $100 million towards boosting cybersecurity so that businesses feel safe to move online –

Investing $2.4 billion in upgrading the NBN –

And I’m in the process of modernising our payments system.

The reason that payments technology is a pretty important part of the broader digital story –

Is that improvements here make everything more efficient –

Reducing costs, freeing up resources –

And helping to grow the economy more broadly.

The same can be said of Artificial Intelligence –

And encouraging its safe and responsible adoption is one part of our efforts to maximise the benefits of technology.

In the May Budget, Ed allocated $41 million to the National AI Centre and the AI Adopt program for small and medium enterprises –

And he’s currently consulting with you on how we can best minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities of this fast‑moving technology in the years ahead.

I know that Ed has already gotten so much out of the conversations he’s had with everybody here –

And is looking forward to going away, considering all of that valuable input –

And incorporating it into the work that we’re doing to build trust and public confidence in this critical technology.

Window of opportunity

The success of Go1 makes it really clear that if we get this right –

If we manage to turn these big, historical shifts to our advantage –

More Australians, in more parts of our country can and will benefit.

From the bush to the coast –

From our regions to the suburbs –

A digital future is one with expanded horizons that can belong to everyone.

We are seeing it today right here in our hometown –

In the area that I grew up in, and am so proud to represent –

And that makes me extra grateful to you.

So, without further delay –

It’s my great honour and privilege –

As Treasurer, and as the Member for Rankin –

To declare Go1’s Global HQ officially open.

Thanks very much.