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Saab’s Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre officially open

 Saab Australia has officially opened its expanded Australian headquarters and state-of-the-art Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre (SCSCC) in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.

Saab and its partners will use the facility to undertake software development, systems integration, testing and prototyping – strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

The SCSCC is a national asset supported by a $22.6 million grant under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. It will be a fundamental input to the development of a sustainable combat systems industry that enables the timely development and deployment of capability to respond to emerging threats.

It is the latest in a series of significant investments made by Saab in Australia to support the ongoing development of defence capabilities and technology.

“Saab has been a leader in Australian combat systems capability for more than three decades and we have made this long-term investment in partnership with the Commonwealth to drive that into the future,” said Saab Australia Managing Director Andy Keough CSC.

In the bottom photo, His Excellency Pontus Melander, Swedish Ambassador to Australia is seated third from the left. Jan Eldeblad, Swedish Defence Attaché to Australia is seated on the far left. 

“The Collaboration Centre will be a hub for Saab, our industry and research partners, and Defence, to develop and integrate combat system capabilities at speed to meet the ADF’s operational requirements.

“A core component of ongoing sovereign combat systems capability development is the AusCMS – Australia’s sovereign combat management system.”

The sovereign AusCMS enables the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to independently adapt their capabilities through the adoption of evolving and disruptive technologies to meet the continually changing and challenging operational context. AusCMS is a common capability across the RAN surface fleet and will form the Australian Interface for the combat system on the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and Hunter-class frigates.

The opening of the SCSCC follows Saab’s recent expansion in Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. Saab employs more than 1,000 Australians delivering capabilities across the maritime, land, air, space, cyber and civil security domains.

Health experts call for faster access to medicines for Australians

AstraZeneca continues to advocate for earlier, faster and fairer access to medicines for Australian patients

Australian patients wait, on average, 466 days between a potentially life-changing medicine receiving approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and that medicine being reimbursed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This length of time is significantly longer than the average time for the same process across all 20 OECD countries, which is 384 days. Australia’s average waiting period is months longer compared to Sweden, which ranks 8 out of 20 at 325 days. Other OECD countries such as Japan (102 days), Germany (136 days), Great Britain (156 days), also have faster listing times. For some, the wait is much longer. For example, a AstraZeneca cancer medicine was recently PBS listed 2,339 days after it was deemed safe and effective to use by the TGA, which was in August 2018.

To address the significant time delay that patients face in Australia, AstraZeneca is continuing to advocate for the government to introduce a bridging funding mechanism for medicines. Bridging funding could provide interim government funding to ‘bridge’ the gap between TGA registration and PBS reimbursement for medicines where there is a high unmet need and where patients cannot afford the time for the medicine to be listed on the PBS.

This would ensure patients could get faster access to treatment options, expected to provide improvement to their health outcomes over existing and often older therapies. This fund would help patients gain earlier access to medicines that may save or significantly extend their life.

In November 2024, the Bridging Funding Coalition – a group of 20 patient advocates, clinicians, medical researchers and pharmaceutical industry representatives (pictured) – launched a website and consensus statement across national media to call on the Government to ensure Australian patients get faster access to medicines by committing to establishing bridging funding for medicines.

Broad support for bridging funding continues to gain significant momentum among health, policy and patient experts. At the same time, there is growing urgency across the health sector to address the reform needed for patients in Australia’s health technology assessment system – the process by which medicines are valued and subsidised to Australians.

The Bridging Funding Coalition will continue advocating for bridging funding for medicines, while simultaneously developing a framework for bridging funding that could be accepted by the next government.

For more information or to learn more about the Bridging Funding Coalition, please contact:

Penny George, Director Corporate Affairs, AstraZeneca on penny.george@astrazeneca.com

Polestar 4 Wins Luxury Car of the Year Under $10,000

Sweden’s Polestar 4 crowned Drive’s Luxury Car of the Year under $100K, redefining premium driving through design, innovation, and sustainability

An exciting achievement for Sweden’s very own Polestar 4, which earlier this year became the first electric car to be crowned Drive Luxury Car of the Year under $100,000. 
The car won out against some of the best-selling luxury cars in Australia thanks to its innovative exterior design, Swedish-engineered performance chassis, and its spacious interior incorporating sustainable materials that don’t compromise on quality.
Drive.com.au judges said Polestar 4 “redefines what a luxury car can be”.
Polestar Australia Managing Director, Scott Maynard, says “Polestar 4 blends luxury, sustainability, and performance to create an experience that will make even the most conservative luxury buyers take notice.
“The fact it’s being celebrated not just among electric vehicles, but among some of the best-known, best-selling luxury cars in Australia reflects that.”
Polestar 4 has been a key driver for Polestar in Australia, which has seen deliveries grow by more than 10 per cent so far in 2025.
Stay tuned for more Polestar love in a big Car of the Year announcement that’s coming soon.

Berkeley Communications doubles down on establishing PR portfolio of Swedish thought leadership brands

Offers 10% discount on all PR & content services to SACC members on agreements signed before 30 July 2025

The best practice approach to business PR in Australia is changing fast and the brands that focus on quality brand storytelling over self-congratulatory PR puff, will be the 2025 winners.

The good news for Swedish companies and SACC members in Australia is that – despite the current AI topic dominance – there is appetite among Australian media audiences for fresh perspectives on innovation, sustainability and business thought leadership. All synonymous with brand Sweden.

Povel Torudd (top left), Berkley Communications running a storytelling workshop in Brisbane (top right), and Povel Torudd winning Business Professional of the Year at the 2024 SACC Business Awards

And this is why Berkeley Communications is offering 10% off all fee-based PR and content services to all SACC members before the end of July 2025.

“We often see opportunities for Swedish companies to share thought leadership in Australia about many of the business areas that we’re known to excel in globally. But there’s never been a PR agency in Australia that offers a single touchpoint for Australian journalists to reach multiple Swedish business thought leaders and it’s time to change that now”, said Povel Torudd, MD of Berkeley Communications.

“Being Swedish founded and Australian-staffed means we understand and can represent the Swedish mindset in Australia, on behalf of all our Swedish partner brands, with credibility and authority. Providing a short cut for journalists on deadline or looking for story inspiration.” he continued.

And short cuts are needed. Fewer traditional media titles and fewer journalists means more competition and higher demands on business PR programs to succeed. Recent data from ACMA shows the Australian journalist community has decreased by 19% in the past decade. Medianet’s 2025 journalist survey shows that 67% of all media releases are ignored due to lack of relevance or news value.

Which means that doubling down on quality business storytelling is the best way for brands to cut through and increase engagement with all audiences. And for that to happen, PR needs to be a strategic part of your brand content eco-system that amplifies every win.

Contact Povel Torudd directly on povel.torudd@berkeleypr.com or +61 405 205 918 to activate the 10% discount offer on all PR/content fees.

Berkeley Communications was a finalist in two of the SACC Business Award categories in 2024 and its Managing Director, Povel Torudd, won the Business Person of the Year award due to his commitment to evolving the business storytelling discipline in Australia.

Celebrating Innovation and Swedish-Australian Collaboration at the Grand Opening of the Axis Experience Center

Axis Communications opens new Sydney Experience Center

Axis Communications - Wikipedia

Last week, the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce was delighted to attend the official opening of the new Axis Experience Center (AEC) in Macquarie Park, Sydney – an area often referred to as the city’s “Silicon Valley” due to its concentration of cutting-edge tech companies.

The event brought together members of the Swedish business community, local government, and industry leaders to celebrate the launch of this state-of-the-art facility dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge network video and security solutions.

City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown, Regional Director for Oceania Wai King Wong and Deputy Swedish Ambassador Nils Hedberg Grimlund celebrate the Grand Opening

The ceremony featured speeches from Wai King Wong, Regional Director for Oceania at Axis Communications, who also took part in the ribbon-cutting alongside Mayor of Ryde Trenton Brown and Swedish Deputy Ambassador Nils Hedberg Grimlund.

Guests were treated to welcome drinks and canapés, all while exploring the new centre that underscores Axis’ commitment to technological leadership and sustainable development.

The event was a strong reflection of the ongoing collaboration between Sweden and Australia, particularly in advancing smart, secure, and connected environments.

“We are proud to open our Sydney Axis Experience Centre today and bring this world-class innovation space to one of Australia’s fastest growing technology hubs.  This centre reflects our ongoing investment in the region and our belief that innovation thrives when people come together to collaborate, test ideas, and explore what’s possible” said Wai King Wong.

SACC congratulates Axis Communications on this exciting milestone and looks forward to continuing to support and promote Swedish innovation in Australia.

SWEDELINK NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2024-2025

HEJ! 

The summer edition of the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) newsletter is here! Packed with exciting updates, event highlights and member news.

We thank you for your continued support and participation in the SACC and hope you enjoy reading this edition SWEDELINK!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Read the newsletter with links here or click on image below: https://www.swedishchamber.com.au/?na=view&id=32

ABB helps industries outrun – leaner and cleaner

 

 

ABB helps industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. For 140 years we have been doing this through enabling energy efficiency and electrification on multiple fronts. In Australia, we have proudly been present since 1906. Locally, we employ a workforce of 670 people across operations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Today, we are focused on leveraging our leading technologies in electrification, automation and digitalisation to drive the ongoing energy transition. By helping our customers in industry, buildings, power and transport – sectors that account for the majority of the world’s energy-related carbon emissions – to electrify, optimise and decarbonise, we enable them to remain competitive while reducing their carbon footprints.

ABB’s leading portfolio of products and services encompasses digital and connected innovations for low- and medium-voltage, including electric vehicle infrastructure, modular substations, distribution automation, power protection, wiring accessories, switchgear, enclosures, cabling, sensing and control.

To support decarbonisation, we are innovating to integrate renewables into the energy mix. In Australia, we have been selected to help electrify what will be one of the country’s largest battery-energy storage systems.

We also aim to provide customers with solutions that help them to electrify their operations. We have recently signed a deal to provide lighting control to a commercial building in Melbourne with ambitions to achieve Net Zero Carbon as well as 6 Star Green Star New Buildings rating, and 6 Star NABERS Energy rating. Elsewhere in Australia, we will also provide EV charging as part of the electrification of a major bus fleet.

Finally, we work closely with our suppliers and partners to help them save energy and reduce emissions across their value chains. ABB is working with one of its main channel partners, IPD, to adopt sustainable packaging practices inspired by reusable plastic crates employed by supermarkets for home deliveries.

Our commitment to supporting energy security and the transition to a low-carbon society is demonstrated by the work we are doing to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions in our own operations. As a provider of the widest portfolio of high quality, highly reliable AC and DC charging hardware, a few of these solutions were recently installed at the ABB office in Notting Hill, Victoria, for the use of employees and visitors.

Contact:

Candice Johnson
Marketing and Communications Manager Electrification, ABB Australia

Email: candice.johnson@au.abb.com

Web: https://new.abb.com/au

 

Hitachi Energy Australia – Transforming the power grid for Net Zero

 

Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is building on a combined heritage of more than 250 years of innovation to advance a sustainable energy future for all. With its evolution to Hitachi Energy in 2021, the global technology leader has effectively positioned its innovative technologies and services to reflect the rapidly evolving energy landscape and the opportunity to create economic, environmental, and social value. The company is a key industry partner with more than 45,000 employees globally.

Hitachi Energy partners and co-creates with customers and partners to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. In addition to power generation, energy intensive industries including transport, mining, and data centres need to decarbonize in line with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations’ SDGs. In Australia, Hitachi Energy has offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin, with dedicated R&D and manufacturing in Victoria delivering clean energy technologies for local use and export.

Hitachi Energy’s culture of innovation is deeply rooted in its long history. The company leverages Hitachi values from a foundation of proud innovation and a significant presence in Sweden, with major R&D and manufacturing facilities in Ludvika and Västerås. This culture is characterized by a strong pioneering spirit that drives the company to push boundaries, break records, and continuously evolve to meet modern challenges. Its commitment to collaboration and co-creation, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts to the DNA and enablers for a sustainable energy future.

Transforming the power grid for Net Zero

With ambitious renewable targets for 2030 and Net Zero commitments for 2050, Australia’s energy system is rapidly transforming. Renewable generation in remote areas combined with rapidly changing urban landscapes, EV adoption, and industrial electrification is increasing the need for long transmission lines and powerful cross-border interconnections with minimal energy losses, and energy storage and power quality solutions.

Utilities and the future grid are critical for the Net Zero economy catering to the increasing demands for flexibility on both the supply and demand side. From cutting-edge power electronics, digital solutions, and sustainable products that enable greater flexibility, efficiency, and safety of the grid, Hitachi Energy has an end-to-end solutions portfolio, which is critical for successfully managing the energy system of the future.

As the energy transition gathers pace, the energy system needs to be more interconnected. High-voltage direct current (HVDC)², a technology Hitachi Energy pioneered over 70 years ago, is powering some of Australia’s largest interconnectors.

Marinus Link, a project of national significance, will integrate more renewables into the grid and unlock Tasmania’s world-class wind and hydro storage resources to deliver affordable and reliable clean energy for all Australians.

Hitachi Energy also enables large scale super batteries and microgrids in remote and island communities, helping to stabilize the grid and enabling a sustainable energy future for all.

Hitachi Energy’s pioneering HVDC will power Marinus Link, a project of national significance for Australia’s energy transition (pictured: comparable HVDC valve hall from Europe).

 

Clean and efficient transport

The journey to reduce CO2 emissions has accelerated the need for sustainable mobility. Hitachi Energy has been a rail and urban transportation pioneer for over a century. Cleaner, greener and quieter public transport modes can be scaled across cities and regions with innovative solutions in electrification and digitalisation.

Hitachi Energy was selected to design and build a charging solution for Brisbane City Council’s public transport project – Brisbane Metro. The high-performance charging system is the first in Australia, allowing the metro vehicles to charge in just over six minutes at the end of route locations.

Using Hitachi Energy’s innovative flash charging solution, Brisbane Metro introduced its first fully electric metro service ahead of schedule as part of customer trials.

 

Sustainable mining

Mining is a key industry in Australia’s economy, and the demand for critical minerals is growing for the global energy transition.

Hitachi Energy is an innovation and industry partner for sustainable mining. Its pioneering technologies ensure reliable energy supply at remote mine sites for 24/7 operations – increasingly challenging for the industry in an environment where electrification adds to power demand.

The company’s products, solutions, services, and software solutions allow miners to meet ESG targets and regulations, maintaining health & safety records and global competitiveness.

Integrating renewable energy into battery powered microgrids provides reliable power in remote areas, delivering sustainability benefits to communities and off-grid mining.

Contact: Isabel Wagner

Communications Manager, Hitachi Energy Australia & New Zealand

Email: isabel.wagner@hitachienergy.com

Web: https://www.hitachienergy.com/about-us/company-profile/country-and-regional-information/australia

 

SWEDELINK Newsletter Spring 2024

We are excited to present the latest edition of the SACC newsletter with exciting updates from the Chamber of Commerce and our members.

We thank you for your continued support and participation in the SACC and hope you enjoy reading this edition SWEDELINK!

Read the newsletter with links here or click on image below: https://www.swedishchamber.com.au/?na=view&id=30

 

Introducing the new SACC Young Professional President and Board

As the newly appointed SACC YP Board Member: President, I’m thrilled to announce the new SACC Young Professionals (YP) Board for the upcoming year. We’re excited to continue fostering connections within the Swedish-Australian community, helping young professionals in Sydney and Melbourne build their networks, develop professionally, and feel more at home in our vibrant community.
The 2024 SACC YP Board members are as follows:
  • Jasmine – SACC YP Board Member: President
  • Henric – SACC YP Board Member: Vice President
  • Michaela – SACC YP Board Member: Marketing & Communications
  • Matthew – SACC YP Board Member: Memberships & Events
  • Johanna – SACC YP Board Member: Memberships & Events
We are excited to announce our upcoming events, starting with an After Work (AW) gathering in collaboration with SACC, which will provide excellent opportunities to connect and engage with our professional network. Additionally, we are planning a Christmas lunch in early December, with further details to be announced.
We welcome all young professionals and students to join us at our events and feel free to reach out to any of us directly or connect with us on LinkedIn if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our initiatives.
Best wishes,
Jasmine Wiklander
President, SACC YP Board

Meet the SACC YP Board: https://www.swedishchamber.com.au/young-professionals/

Contact: YP@swedishchamber.com.au