Vince Connelly (Stirling, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

2020 has required every Australian, every business and every government to do things differently. We have been forced to adapt and to innovate. Necessity is said to be the mother of all invention, and we desperately need the scientific capabilities of Australian academics and the inventive capacity of Australian manufacturers to come together and solve the monstrous challenges of our time. Today, I congratulate an organisation in my electorate, which has won a manufacturing grant, and the CRC who have facilitated it. Alcolizer Technologies have partnered with the University of Technology Sydney, to develop a new rapid COVID-19 antigen test with results in less than 15 minutes and without the uncomfortable nasal swab. The IMCRC manages $20 million in funds to stimulate innovative manufacturing, including $30 million in taxpayer funds. Alkalizer was awarded $150,000 in matched funds to develop the rapid test, which they hope will go to clinical trials soon. The IMCRC assessed and approved the Alkalizer UTS application within three days. The rapid response matches the urgent need for government to continue enabling innovations in manufacturing by Australian researchers and businesses to provide solutions to one of our world's most pressing needs.