**Atlassian Expands Melbourne Presence Despite Business Criticism**
**Meta Description:** Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes defends Melbourne’s business environment as the company expands its workforce to 650 employees in the city.
**URL Slug:** atlassian-melbourne-expansion-business-criticism
**Atlassian Expands Melbourne Presence Despite Business Criticism**
Atlassian, the $60 billion software powerhouse, is significantly increasing its footprint in Melbourne, with its workforce growing from virtually zero to 650 employees since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This expansion positions Melbourne as one of Atlassian’s fastest-growing locations globally, alongside Seattle and Bangalore.
On Thursday, the company inaugurated its first permanent office on Queen Street, signaling a strong commitment to a state that has faced ongoing criticism for being unwelcoming to business investments. Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder and CEO of Atlassian, emphasized that the decision to expand was driven by the availability of talent rather than the negative perceptions surrounding Victoria’s business climate. “It’s a testament to the progress we’ve made in this part of the world,” he stated. “Why is that? Because of the talent. There’s lots of talent here.”
Despite the Business Council of Australia’s recent report ranking Victoria last among all states and territories for business friendliness for the second consecutive year, Atlassian remains undeterred. The report highlighted issues such as high payroll taxes, the highest land tax for foreign owners in the country, and stringent licensing requirements as barriers to investment.
When asked about the prevailing sentiment regarding Victoria’s investment climate, Cannon-Brookes downplayed its significance for Atlassian. “I don’t think it’s been a major issue for us,” he remarked, noting that the company’s focus is on accessing skilled workers. “In tech, you go to where the talent is. Melbourne and Seattle are growing the fastest of any two Atlassian regions in the world.”
Premier Jacinta Allan is also banking on the tech sector’s potential, announcing plans to establish Victoria as Australia’s hub for data centers. In her recent address, she outlined a government investment of $5.5 million for a sustainable data center action plan and $8.1 million for retraining workers displaced by advancements in artificial intelligence. Allan projected that AI could contribute an additional $30 billion to the state’s gross product over the next decade, while acknowledging the need to protect affected workers.
As Atlassian continues to grow in Melbourne, the tension between the government and the business community remains a critical issue, highlighting the ongoing debate about the state’s investment climate.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why is Atlassian expanding its presence in Melbourne despite criticism of the business environment?**
A: Atlassian is expanding in Melbourne due to the availability of skilled talent, which is more important to the company than the negative perceptions of the state’s business climate.