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Jason McFarlane
Director
Western Australian GreenTech Innovation Hub
Jason McFarlane is an economic strategist and systems thinker with over 20 years’ experience advancing innovation, sustainability transitions, and regional economic development across Australia. He has advised governments, industry, and communities on initiatives spanning decarbonisation, advanced manufacturing, and strategic investment, with a strong focus on translating emerging technologies into real-world impact.
He is the inaugural Director of the Western Australian GreenTech Innovation Hub, a Western Australian State Government initiative hosted by Curtin University. The Hub accelerates globally relevant greentech solutions by connecting challenge owners with innovators to drive net-zero, nature-positive, and economically diversifying outcomes. Jason brings deep insight into global greentech trends and the practical realities of commercialisation and scale.
Speaking at
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1:30–2:45pmTue 24 MarPublic-Private RoundtablesUniClub - Roundtable Room 2OpenModerator
Securing the Future
[Roundtable] Wiring the Indo-Pacific - Why Western Australia is the Place for Green Compute Infrastructure at Scale
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Angela TrevithickExecutive Director, Manufacturing & Supply Chains DevelopmentDepartment of Energy & Economic Diversification
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Brett LooneyPrincipal Solutions ArchitectAWS
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Prof. Kate BrooksHead, School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical SciencesCurtin University
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Margarita KongawoinSenior Vice President of Software & HPCDUG Technology
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Matthew MeszarosFounder and Chief Executive OfficerProject Ohm
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Nils HayChief Executive OfficerMid West Development Commission
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Jason McFarlaneDirectorWestern Australian GreenTech Innovation HubModerator
About this session
Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainty, the Indo-Pacific’s fast-growing digital economies are looking for infrastructure that can deliver both cost efficiency and ESG-aligned resilience.
In this context, Western Australia is drawing increasing interest for the foundations that matter: clean and reliable energy, critical minerals for high-performance chips, global connectivity, secure and scalable compute, lower operating costs for business, and a stable, trusted operating environment.
This session will explore how WA can convert these advantages into long-term strategic value for the state and international markets: offering internationally competitive services while supporting local industries and SMEs, creating future jobs, attracting investment, strengthening sustainable development, and positioning the state as a trusted hub in the region for next-generation digital infrastructure. It will also examine how public and private sectors and academia can work together to unlock this opportunity and ensure the benefits build a stronger regional economy.
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1:30–2:45pmWed 25 MarSide EventUniClub - Workshop Room 1Open
Others
[Side Event by WAWEB3] Innovating in Western Australia - Hubs, Grants, & Go-to-Market Pathways
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Alex JenkinsDirectorWA Data Science Innovation Hub
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Britney Jean VictorPrograms & Community CoordinatorSpacecubed & Meshpoints
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Cecily RawlinsonDirectorCyberWest Hub
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Charlie GunninghamChairStartupWA
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Dr. Chris VasGeneral ManagerFood Innovation Precinct WA
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Jai MacphailLead DeveloperRed Dog Studios
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Jason McFarlaneDirectorWestern Australian GreenTech Innovation Hub
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Prof. Kevin PflegerDirector Biomedical and Health InnovationThe University of Western Australia and WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub
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Krzysztof KiezunCEOLibelit
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Mat LewisDirectorCreative Tech Village
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Hon. Michael MischinDirectorInnovate Australia Ltd
About this session
Western Australia is building a practical, connected innovation ecosystem designed to turn ideas into investable ventures, new industries, and real jobs. This workshop is an “insider’s map” for anyone who wants to build, partner, invest, pilot, or expand in Western Australia.
Anchored around Western Australia’s state-funded innovation hubs - collaborative platforms that connect startups, SMEs, corporates, universities, and government - participants will learn where to go for support, how to plug into the right networks, and how to access pathways that accelerate commercialisation and growth. -
