Ed Husic is a self-declared quantum nerd.
"I want to make sure we're at the front of the quantum pack," the federal industry and science minister told a quantum commercialisation forum at CSIRO's Lindfield site in Sydney.
"It absolutely burns me, when I just recall how there were five countries in the 1940s that built their own computer, and we were one of them and we just gave it all away," he said.
Quantum computers are far more powerful than traditional machines when crunching through data to solve complex problems. But the technology can be fragile, and needs more work to go commercial.
"We didn't pursue our ambitions, too constrained, and we didn't go through to make sure that we could manufacture, develop growth at scale," he said this week.
"It is something, can I tell you, I'm utterly obsessed and focused about, not just in terms of the quantum but the broader thing."
The niche area of Australian talent is behind many existing and emerging quantum applications, including random number generators for security and sensors for mining.
In June, Australian scientists at Silicon Quantum Computing joined atomic dots to build a quantum-processor they say is a huge step towards a commercial quantum computer.
German-Australian start-up Quantum Brilliance has installed a world-first room-temperature diamond-based quantum computer at a supercomputing facility.
"We are a globally recognised leader in quantum, at the forefront of quantum technology R&D, contributing to breakthroughs for over two decades," Mr Husic said.
Quantum has retained its place on the updated list of critical technologies that he says are vital for Australia's future prosperity.
Australia is also one of the largest sources of critical minerals needed to develop high technology products including quantum computers controlled by light and engineering encrypted communication.
Lynas Rare Earths' Mt Weld mine in Western Australia is the world's largest source outside China of these ingredients.
Iluka Resources is building a rare earths refinery for minerals critical to advanced electronics.
And just as quantum is not usually front of mind for most Australians, many have never heard of the National Measurement Institute.
But its team was an early practitioner of quantum science.
For many years they have developed and used internationally recognised quantum-based measurement standards for biological, chemical, legal, physical and trade, the minister said.
The institute is working with CSIRO to support quantum, including the standards, protocols, instruments, and benchmarking that will be needed.
The National Reconstruction Fund has $1 billion set aside for a Critical Technologies Fund, which includes supporting emerging ideas in quantum.
A National Quantum Strategy is due by the end of the year from a 15-person committee of experts led by Chief Scientist Cathy Foley.
CSIRO estimated quantum technology in Australia could become a $4 billion industry, creating 16,000 jobs by 2040.
