Digital Data

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (16:08): My question is to the Minister for Science and Information Economy. Can the minister inform the chamber on any initiatives that are underway in South Australia to manage the rapidly expanding amount of data created by the digital world?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (16:08): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Every day the modern world creates some 2.3 zettabytes of data, and that is 2.3, followed by 21 zeros, in case members are not aware of what a zettabyte is. Creating value from this information from the internet, satellite pictures, video, social media, just to name a few, is what the newly emerging field of big data is all about. Big data is a term for a data set so large and complex that it becomes difficult to store, process and analyse using current technologies.

As a result of new analytical methods, mining big data can create insights that will improve or uncover new opportunities. Some of these opportunities are substantial. In a recent report, PricewaterhouseCoopers estimated that Australian retail and consumer businesses are missing an opportunity currently worth around $3.8 billion. Analysing big data also has very significant applications for national security agencies in the fight against terrorism and crime.

So, it was very pleasing to see the launch last month of the Data to Decisions Cooperative Research Centre at Mawson Lakes, which will play a leading national role in this rapidly evolving technological field. The D2D CRC, as it is known, has been backed by $92 million in cash and in-kind support from state and federal governments, research institutions and information industry companies.

With its national headquarters based at Mawson Lakes, the D2D CRC will add some extremely useful capacities to our state's research base. I understand that the CRC will employ nearly 200 staff and 50 PhD students over its five-year funding period and plans to roll out training programs for 200 to 300 data scientists annually over the life of the CRC.

As well as leaving a significant legacy to the national security of Australia, the potential exists to build a substantial big data industry which will position Australia as an international exemplar in the development and use of big data capabilities across many sectors. The potential benefits derived from big data are not restricted to national security or retail business. Mining and resources, health, utilities, renewable energy and manufacturing enterprises can all reduce costs, improve their efficiencies and boost productivities from smarter analysis of their data.

The government is contributing $600,000 over three years to the CRC via the Premier's Research and Industry Fund. Of course, what we see overall in terms of the federal Liberal government's cuts to CRCs is of grave concern to us. We have seen almost $80 million cut from the CRC program over the forward estimates by the federal Liberal government. Unlike the Liberals, this state government will continue to support our science and research sector. I welcome this brilliant initiative, as it will add yet another useful capacity for innovation within South Australia's increasingly diverse scientific and research base.