Australia Blog
News and notes from Google Down Under
Partnering with the Walkley Foundation to train Australian journalists
Friday, February 22, 2019
The Walkley Foundation has been fostering innovation in Australian news gathering and storytelling for decades and we couldn’t think of a better partner for the
Google News Initiative
, which aims to provide free training for up to 4,000 journalists and students in Australia and New Zealand.
This week we announced a partnership
the Walkley Foundation
to develop a training network across Australia to support a sustainable future for journalists and make sure that journalists and media organisations have the digital skills to succeed at their craft.
We have worked with the Walkley Foundation since 2013 to deliver a wide range of programs and activities to help ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of journalism.
Walkleys chief executive Louisa Graham said the program supports the Walkleys’ mission to support a sustainable future for journalists, connecting Australian and New Zealand newsrooms, journalists and students with this free training to boost their skills for digital reporting and verification.
Nic Hopkins, Google News Lab Lead for Australia and New Zealand, with Walkley Foundation CEO Louisa Graham and Matt Cooke, News Lab Head of Partnerships and Training
Earlier this month, The Walkley Foundation appointed John Bergin, former digital editor at SBS and director of digital news at the Australian News Channel, to manage its Google News Initiative training program.
The training will help journalists to understand how to use online tools that refine information and analyse trends, how to use satellite imagery to enhance your storytelling and develop insights to connect content with audiences and to make it more discoverable.
For more information check out the
Google News Initiative
or contact the Walkley Foundation to register your interest
here
.
Posted by Nic Hopkins, Head of News Lab, Google Australia and New Zealand
Our response to the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry Preliminary Report
Thursday, February 21, 2019
When I started working at Google almost 12 years ago, Australians were still figuring out how to make the most of the internet. Today, few of us could imagine a day without a smartphone in our pocket.
Google provides tools and services that millions of Australians use every day, such as Search, Maps and YouTube. Thousands of Australian businesses are benefiting too, using online platforms like ours to reach customers across Australia and globally.
In its Digital Platforms Inquiry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is considering the impact of these changes, with a particular focus on news and journalism.
The ACCC notes the Internet has helped consumers to access a broader range of news publications, as lower production and distribution costs have sparked competition from new entrants, both locally and around the world. As this occurred, traditionally profitable sections of newspapers such as real estate and classifieds have faced new competition for advertising dollars, not just from platforms like Google, Facebook and Amazon, but also from Australian digital success stories like SEEK, Domain and REA.
In short, as Australians have increasingly gone online, so too have advertisers. The ACCC’s Preliminary Report proposes a number of regulatory ideas in response to this transition. We have engaged with the ACCC throughout this process and this week submitted our response to the Preliminary Report.
Underpinning our submission is a belief that as technology evolves, legal frameworks must also evolve with clear, evidence-based solutions to address specific problems. It’s sometimes claimed that the internet is unregulated but that's simply not the case. Considered, carefully calibrated regulation has contributed to the web’s success as a platform for expression and access to information.
We respect the range of existing laws and regulations that apply to the internet, such as competition and consumer laws and advertising regulations. This inquiry provides a timely opportunity to review and consider existing frameworks in light of rapid change.
Working with news publishers to enable quality journalism
When Australians search for news on Google, we want to surface high quality, relevant and useful results. In 2018, we referred more than 2 billion clicks to Australian news websites. These clicks amount to free traffic that helps publishers generate ad revenue and provides the opportunity to turn casual readers into loyal subscribers. We also provide ad technology to large and small publishers to help them monetise content through advertising. In 2018, we paid US$14.2 billion to partners globally - more than 70% of the revenues earned from displaying ads served by Google on partners’ properties.
Google News has no ads, nor does the news results tab on the search page. Unlike social media sites, which operate in largely closed environments and benefit from users spending more time on the site, the success of Google Search relies on linking users with relevant results. This is an important distinction, highlighting the need to differentiate between digital platforms.
While Google supports news and journalism, some of the Preliminary Report’s recommendations - such as an algorithm regulator - risk poor outcomes. We already provide extensive guidance on search ranking, including our 164 page Search quality rater guidelines, and the How Search Works guide. And of course, Google Search results are open for all to see. We believe this approach balances the need for transparency against the risk of manipulation by bad actors and do not believe that an algorithm regulator would lead to higher quality search results or promote journalism.
Providing useful products and services for consumers and advertisers
Australians search for a wide range of queries every day and expect to get the most relevant and useful results, as quickly as possible. While Search is very popular, we have a lot of competition. From a consumer perspective, Google competes for user queries with other search engines, and specialised search services like Amazon, e-commerce sites and travel aggregators.
From an advertising perspective, search advertising is just one of many channels advertisers invest in and we compete directly for advertising dollars with other digital channels, as well as television, print, radio and outdoor advertising. The popularity of digital is, in part, due to the unprecedented ability it provides for advertisers to measure the impact of their ad spend and other media channels are fast catching up. This is not examined in the Preliminary Report and we believe there should be further consideration of the competition Google faces for user queries on search and the competition for advertising investment, both among digital providers (of which search advertising is only one part) and other forms of advertising.
Protecting Australians’ privacy
Australians trust us to protect their privacy and data, and we take that responsibility seriously. Through Google’s
MyAccount
we provide easy to use tools that give people transparency, choice and control over their data. In 2017, Australians visited
MyAccount
more than 22 million times, reviewing and adjusting their privacy settings to manage what information is collected and how that data is used.
The Preliminary Report proposes a range of measures to enhance privacy and consumers’ awareness of data collection and use. We believe these changes should apply to all organisations currently subject to the Privacy Act, not just digital platforms or organisations that meet a particular threshold.
The ACCC’s preliminary report provides a timely opportunity to examine Australia’s changing media and advertising landscape. As we continue to engage in this process, we do so with the goal of balancing the benefits of new technologies, minimising societal costs, and respecting fundamental rights for all Australians.
Posted by Mel Silva, Managing Director, Google Australia
Doonside students learning skills of the future
Monday, February 18, 2019
Ever wanted to eat cupcakes with a robot? Ok us either... But more than 600 students from seven schools gathered at Doonside Technology High in Western Sydney and had the chance to do just that. They weren’t just bonding over the baked goods, they were learning skills of the future like STEM and computer science.
A recent report from
Alphabeta
highlighted the changing nature of work due to developments in technology and automation and looked at the skills the Austrailan workforce will need to thrive in the new economy.
We were delighted to join Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy, Ed Husic in partnering with nonprofit organisation
Schools Plus
to support a STEM-themed school program and Robotics Club at Doonside Technology high that will see seven schools - Crawford Public School, Doonside Public School, Doonside Technology High School, Evans High School, Marayong South Public School, Plumpton High School and Walters Road Public School - receive support to significantly expand students’ access to digital technologies and STEM learning activities.
We’re providing $45,000 in funding as well as mentoring and professional development with some of our amazing Google colleagues to introduce more STEM education for students.
This is the third project Google has funded with Schools Plus, taking our total contributions to over $100,000 including Balga High School (WA) and Madison Park (SA).
We've long been supporters of computer science and STEM education in Australia - supporting over 12,000 teachers through
Google Educator PD grants
, reaching new students across the country and giving them access to a
world class robotics program
with FIRST robotics, and delivering
professional development training
to over 35,000 teachers (and counting) across Australia through our collaboration with the CSER team at the University of Adelaide. Future innovations and inventions in Australia will come from students gaining skills in computer science today, and blending that with other disciplines to solve challenges the world faces now, and in the future.
Thanks to
Schools Plus
for bringing this exciting opportunity to us and we can’t wait to work with students and teachers in Western Sydney to do great things with technology.
Posted by Sally-Ann Williams, Engineering and Community Outreach Manager, Google Australia
An updated Safety Centre for Safer Internet Day
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Making technology for everyone means protecting everyone who uses it. For more than 20 years, Google has been building useful products to help make people’s lives easier. From the beginning, we’ve recognised that not everyone uses the Internet in the same way and that’s why we offer tools to keep your family safer online, and it’s why we’re continually cracking down on bad actors whose actions make the web worse for all.
In the lead up to
Safer Internet Day
, we have launched an expanded
Google Safety Centre
. We’ve updated our resources and pulled even more tools,
easy security tips
and information into one site dedicated to educating and empowering people on important topics like
data security
,
privacy controls
and
how to use technology in a way that is right for your family
.
The
Google Safety Centre
educates kids and helps their parents and teachers support them to explore the internet and use our Google products safely. With
Family Link
, we empower parents to set digital ground rules by managing their Google Accounts, device, and app usage. Family-friendly products, like
YouTube Kids
, provide a safer online experience for discovery. Beyond our own products, we also help kids learn how to be safer, more confident explorers of the online world through our investment in programs such as the
eSmart Digital Licence
.
As technology continues to change the way we live, work, and play, our commitment to keeping you safe and secure remains top of mind and the updated Google Safety Centre is part of that commitment.
Posted by Samantha Yorke, Senior Counsel Public Policy, Google Australia and New Zealand
Advancing Cancer Treatment Research with Artificial Intelligence
Monday, February 4, 2019
One in four Australians are diagnosed with cancer during their lives. Even when correctly diagnosed, the best cancer treatments achieve only a 48 percent success rate over three years.
1
A key to better predicting patient treatment outcomes for cancer sufferers lies in finding and interpreting the patterns and genes of significance in the genomes of patients who have responded best to previous treatments.
This World Cancer Day, we’re proud to share the inspiring work that Brisbane-based machine learning consultancy,
Max Kelsen
, is doing with artificial intelligence (AI) to better predict patient responses to cancer treatments such as immunotherapy.
Their Immunotherapy Outcome Prediction (IOP) has the potential to change the lives of millions of cancer patients worldwide. Working alongside
genomiQa
,
QIMR Berghofer
,
BGI
, and
QLD Health Metro North Hospital and Health Service
, Max Kelsen plans to integrate AI and whole genome sequencing into cancer research and clinical practice and putting us one step closer to fully personalized, highly effective treatment plans.
Through access to
Tensor Research Cloud
from Google, Max Kelsen is combining whole genome analysis with AI to help predict the effectiveness of cancer treatments at scale.
Learn more
about their work, and show your support for the global community that’s leading in a fight for a cure this #WorldCancerDay.
1
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Phase 3 Study Evaluating Yervoy® (Ipilimumab) for Melanoma in an Adjuvant Setting Meets Primary Endpoint of Recurrence-Free Survival
Posted by Rebecca Wong, Communications Manager, Google Cloud APAC
Say G’day to WA’s National Parks with today’s Google Doodle
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Today means different things for Australians around the country. Whether you’re reflecting, protesting or celebrating, what shapes and binds us as a nation is our love for our nature. Our land is like no other, so today we’re honouring its wild and wonderful ways.
Through Google Street View, we’ve been mapping natural landmarks around Australia – from
Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef
to
Victoria’s Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
. Today’s Doodle takes us to Western Australia to celebrate the magnificent
Fitzgerald River National Park
of which the Southern Noongar and Wagyl Kaip people are the Traditional Custodians. The park offers diverse terrains – rolling plains, colourful breakaways, rugged peaks, headlands, stunning bays and inlets. With guidance from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, today’s Doodle celebrates this unique landscape, as well as the flora and fauna of this spectacular spot.
Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. More than 1,800 plant species grow in the park — 75 of these, including the iconic
Royal Hakea
, cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The park is also home to more than 200 bird species, 41 reptile species, 12 frog species, and 22 mammal species, including the
honey possum
featured in today’s Doodle. These mouse-sized marsupials, also known as “Noolbenger”, have tails that are longer than their bodies, pointed snouts, and long tongues covered with bristles to help them drink nectar from native flowers like the Banksia (also featured in the Doodle). Tiny but thirsty, the honey possum can drink the equivalent of its body weight in nectar per day! They also help the plants reproduce by spreading pollen as they feast.
Royal Hakea, seen along East Mount Barren
In the background, the Doodle depicts a grand vista of rock formations and the Barrens coastal range, which is perched on the edge of the Southern Ocean. The range is characterised by uplifted and tilted grey quartzite rocks (once sediments on an ancient sea floor) and magnificent multicoloured cliffs of spongolite.
However you spend today, we invite you to
explore
the trails and jagged coastline of Fitzgerald River National Park. Start your adventure by heading down the
Hakea Trail
to enjoy the spectacular views at
Quoin Head
.
Posted by Camilla Ibrahim, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Google Australia
YouTube Music Unveils its First-Ever 'Artists to Watch' in Australia and New Zealand
Monday, January 21, 2019
Singers such as Kaiit, Bene and Didirri, and rappers including the Triple One crew and Kwame, feature in the Top 10 Australian and New Zealand acts predicted to break through in the next 12 months
YouTube Music today released its top 10 Artists To Watch in Australia and New Zealand for 2019. Some are already building impressive reputations locally but we believe all of them have the talent to go significantly further this year, both at home and overseas.
In alphabetical order, the 10 Artists To Watch from Australia and New Zealand in 2019 are:
Bene
(Auckland, New Zealand)
Didirri
(Melbourne, Australia)
G Flip
(Melbourne, Australia)
- pictured above
JessB
(Auckland, New Zealand)
Kaiit
(Melbourne, Australia)
Kian
(Castlemaine, Australia)
Kwame
(Sydney, Australia, via Auckland, New Zealand)
The Kid Laroi
(Sydney, Australia)
Triple One
(Sydney, Australia)
Tyne-James Organ
(Melbourne via Sydney, Australia)
YouTube Music compiled its Artists To Watch for 2019 using factors including YouTube views, engagement from global music fans and YouTube Music analytics.
Melbourne’s all-singing, all-drumming indie firecracker G Flip, real name Georgia Flipo, says she is “stoked” to be one of YouTube Music’s Artists To Watch.
“I think it’s so cool they are championing breaking artists and I'm honoured to be chosen as one of them,” she said.
Her fellow Melburnian, sunny troubadour Didirri, describes his inclusion as “an absolute honour”.
“I think it’s time we bring some positivity back into the limelight this year,” Didirri adds. “Hoping to bring a bunch of us together and share the music.”
That would include Sydney hip-hop trio Triple One, as they brace themselves for a huge 12 months, saying, “We've come into the new year with something to prove. 2019 will be our biggest year yet and our biggest evolution as a group.”
And when soulful Kiwi Bene heard she had made YouTube Music’s Artists To Watch list, she said, “So much luv, can't wait to show you more of ma shtuff.”
Burgeoning singer-songwriters Kaiit, Kian and Tyne James-Organ, and talented rappers JessB, Kwame and The Kid Laroi round out the chosen ones.
Head to
YouTube Music
to further explore these Artists to Watch and enjoy a brand-new
YouTube Music playlist
featuring our top 10 artists and the longlist, as well as an in-app spotlight, featuring audio and video content.
Posted by Ruuben van den Heuvel, Head of Music Content Partnerships (South East Asia, AU/NZ), YouTube
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