Minister for industry and science Ian Macfarlane said Data61would be one of the largest digital innovation teams in the world.

“Both CSIRO and NICTA have an impressive track record in digital innovation and have demonstrated their ability to take homegrown technologies to market,” he said.

“Together they will be a force to be reckoned with, creating an internationally-recognised digital research powerhouse that will benefit Australian industry as it reaches into new global markets and seizes new opportunities for jobs and growth.

“I’d like to thank the NICTA members and the Board for embracing this opportunity to supercharge Australia’s digital research.”

Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull said having a single national organisation would enable Data61 to produce focused research that will deliver strong economic returns.

“The new combined entity will continue to train Australia’s future digital technology leaders through the enhanced PhD programme, with more than 300 technology PhDs enrolled at partner universities,” minister Turnbull said.

“Both CSIRO and NICTA are confident that through this merger, Australia’s digital research capability will be enhanced, providing an opportunity to leverage off complementary strengths to build a better, more impactful capability for Australia.”

Data61 will be led by local technology entrepreneur Adrian Turner – a succesful silicon valley veteran, who said his vision for the organisation is to harness the start-up culture of NICTA and multidisciplinary strength of CSIRO to deliver maximum benefit to Australia.

NICTA was founded in 2002, as part of the BITS programme. Its core purpose was to “build capacity and strengthen investment in strategic information and communications technology research, and improve Australia’s ability to fully capture the productivity and transformational benefits that ICT capability can deliver”.

Exciting times for Innovation in Australia!!