Arthur Sinodinos
Chairman at Hypersonix Launch Systems · Former at The Asia Group
The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO is a distinguished Australian public servant and business leader. He currently serves as a Partner and Chair of the Australia Practice at The Asia Group. Previously, he was Australia's Ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2023. Arthur has held significant roles in the Australian government, including Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and Senator for New South Wales from 2011 to 2019. He also served as Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. His career began in the Australian Public Service in 1979, and he later became the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff under John Howard. Arthur has also worked in the private sector with Goldman Sachs and the National Australia Bank. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 and a Distinguished Fellow of the Australia & New Zealand School of Government in 2019.
In their own words
From Arthur Sinodinos discusses the positive attributes Australia could learn from the US · The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview SeriesWe punched above our weight in coming up with ideas, but the issue was getting those ideas to be realized. Commercialization was a real issue.
Career
- Now Chairman · Hypersonix Launch Systems
- From 2023 Chair, Australia practice · The Asia Group
- 2020–2023 Australian Ambassador to the United States · Australia, Ambassador to the United States
- 2017 Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science · Australian Government
- 2015–2017 Cabinet Secretary · Australian Government
- 2013–2014 Assistant Treasurer of Australia · Australian Government
- 2011–2019 Senator for New South Wales · Australian Senate
- 2007–2011 Managing Director / Regional General Manager · National Australia Bank
- 1995–2007 Chief of Staff · Office of the Prime Minister (John Howard)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Key moments
Jump straight to the part of Arthur Sinodinos discusses the positive attributes Australia could learn from the US you want.
- 0:31 Meet Arthur Sinodinos
- 1:07 Arthur's First Exposure to the Startup Sector
- 2:12 Evolution of Arthur's Thinking on Government Intervention
- 3:46 Commercialization Challenges in Australia
- 5:18 Importance of Universities in the Startup Ecosystem
- 5:48 The Role of Government in Innovation
- 7:51 Mindset of Permission to Fail in the Public Sector
- 9:12 Comparing Australian and U.S. Startup Ecosystems
- 10:18 The Role of Superfunds in High Growth Businesses
- 13:13 Thoughts on NISA (National Innovation and Science Agenda)
Heard on
▶ 
▶ Hypersonix Launch Systems on Day One
Hypersonix Launch Systems is a Brisbane-based aerospace company developing hydrogen-fuelled scramjet engines and reusable hypersonic aircraft, including the SPARTAN… 1 person · 2 episodes → Connections
Adam SpencerHost, Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem 
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Steve GraceCEO & Founder, The Nudge Group 
Eloise HallCo-Founder & Managing Director, TABOO Period Products, Taboo 
Isobel MarshallCo-Founder, Taboo 
Darryl LyonsCo-Founder, Rainstick, Rainstick 
Megan SebbenKick-Start Program Manager, CSIRO, CSIRO 
Phil IrelandCEO, Carbon Neutral Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction Updated 25 September 2026
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