New chief scientist waiting to check in on quantum bet

Australia’s new chief scientist has turned his focus to misinformation and research infrastructure, as he waits on security clearance before examining the claims of government-backed PsiQuantum.

Professor Tony Haymet, an oceanographer and science entrepreneur, was appointed to a three-year term last month. On Thursday, he said he will “absolutely” be examining the US firm’s quantum claims when allowed.

“I’m fascinated both as a scientist and as taxpayer about that technology,” he said at his first Senate Estimates hearing.

Image: PsiQuantum

Professor Haymet is yet to receive an unclassified briefing on PsiQuantum, which the federal and Queensland governments tipped almost $1 billion into last year.

The frontier technology company, co-founded by Australians, has huge ambitions and is making technical progress, including a chip manufacturing breakthrough this week.

But is yet to apply for development approval for its planned Brisbane facility, which it says will produce the world’s first utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Australia’s last chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley initially doubted the company’s claims and was “put off by the ‘salesman’ push”, but she came around in the space of a year after being involved in an extensive but controversial due diligence process.

Professor Haymet’s role in the investment going forward is unlikely to be “duplicating” Dr Foley’s “exhaustive” involvement, Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres said on Thursday.

The new chief scientist is waiting until after the federal election to develop his long-term workplan, which is negotiated with the Science minister.

In the meantime, he is finishing up the outstanding work of the Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council he is now deputy chair of.

This includes the council’s study of misinformation and disinformation and a project examining the nation’s research infrastructure system.

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