Google announces its biggest investment in Australia

The investment will see the company partnering with local organisations, including the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Google has announced its biggest investment in Australia yet with the launch of A$1 billion (US$0.73 billion) Digital Future Initiative. The new initiative builds on the tech giant’s work in Australia over the last two decades and is aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure, developing Australian technology and talent, and solving global and local challenges.

We believe a strong digital future is one where everyone has access to technology and the skills to use it, where the internet economy fulfils its immense potential, and Australia’s long tradition of innovation can grow and thrive, said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.

The Digital Future Initiative is an investment in the extraordinary talent and creativity of Australians. It’s about ensuring every Australian has access to technology to realise their potential. It’s about laying foundations for a strong digital economy that can compete globally and support good jobs locally. And continuing Australia’s proud record of world-first innovation, harnessing technology to solve big challenges and create new opportunities for decades ahead, Google said.

Also attending the event, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed the plan: The decision by Google has major benefits for Australian businesses as we engage with the economic recovery before us.

The investment will see the company partnering with local organisations, including Australia’s science agency the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The initiative is expected to add 6,529 new direct jobs and 28,057 total jobs across Australia and deliver $1.3 billion in direct investment and $6.7 billion in total economic impact, according to economist Henry Ergas AO and Green Square Associates.

Part of this investment will be a continuation of Google’s investment into cloud infrastructure, such as the launch of the Melbourne region earlier this year.

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