Lundy’s Public Sphere targets ICT sector development

James Riley
Monday, 03 August 2009 08:00

Business IT - Technology

The third incarnation of Kate Lundy’s grand Public Sphere policy 2.0 event will plumb the community for ideas and initiatives that will drive growth in the Australian ICT and creative industries sector.

And Public Sphere 3 will be the biggest in the event’s short history. In addition to the main ‘live site’ venue in Wollongong, Senator Lundy’s office is planning simultaneous connections to sites in Brisbane and Melbourne.

And hundreds of attendees are expected to view proceeding and provide input to Public Sphere through various internet-based channels.

Senator Lundy, a long-time tech industry advocate and a former shadow minister in the IT portfolio, said the development of the Australian ICT sector was more important to the Australian economy than ever.

“The importance of ICT in boosting productivity ... in the context of the Global Financial Crisis recovery and the Australian economy is more important than ever,” Senator Lundy told iTWire.

“The prospective benefits of a National Broadband Network again sharpens the importance of having a focus on the Australian ICT sector.

“It’s the perfect time to be having a Public Sphere (on the sector) to be able to determine exactly what needs to be done quickly, and to boost the relative priority of the ICT sector’s development … because of its transformative effects across all industries,” she said.

The main Public Sphere 3 live site will be at Wollongong University on August 28 and supported by the newly-established ICT industry cluster, ICT Illawarra (ICTI).

Up for discussion is industry development in the Australian ICT and Creative Industries, ranging from core infrastructure to mobile, Web 2.0, as well as the broad creative industries like games, film and digital arts.

Like previous events, the Public Sphere 3 discussion will lead to the development of a briefing paper with endorsed recommendations. The paper will be handed to Industry Minister Kim Carr’s recently formed ICT Industry Innovation Council, but will also be distributed widely among Government frontbenchers, including Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner.

Senator Lundy said that while Australian has done quite well on the international scene, more could be done to encourage our most innovative professionals and companies to base their operations locally and to encourage inward international investment into the Australian ICT sector.

“Having a strong Australian-based sector means a positive contribution to a number of important national goals: economic growth and exports, provide opportunities for skills development and experience in Australia’s workforce and finally, reinforcing Australia’s international reputation for excellence,” Senator Lundy says in announcing the event through her web site.

“The ICT and creative industries have been shown around the world to be a massive contributor to national and global economic and productivity growth. It is extremely important – particularly given the current global climate – that we prioritise support for ICT industry growth and development in Australia.”

More details about the Public Sphere 3 event can be found through Senator Lundy online, including links to register for the event.