ACS: National strategy needed to develop Australia ICT industry, government must act

Peter Dinham
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 07:31

IT Industry - Deals

The ACS has attacked the federal government for overlooking the ICT industry as a critical source of economic stimulus and growth for Australia’s economy and called on the government to give a dedicated commitment to a national strategy on the development of the industry.

Renewing its call for ICT to be given prominence on the national agenda to power the future growth of the Australian economy, the ACS through its chairman, Kumar Parakala, called for a change in attitude towards the Australian economic engine room, shifting from dependence on the traditional resources and commodities sectors for economic growth and towards an information and digital economy.
 
“The ICT industry has long been overlooked as a critical source of economic stimulus and growth for our nation. As the Minister (Lindsay Tanner) has pointed out, we often underestimate the impact ICT has on national productivity, yet we talk very highly about ICT professionals without necessarily recognising this importance. We have to act, and the time to act is now.

“We need a dedicated commitment from the federal government for a national strategy on the development of the ICT industry in Australia. China, India, and other neighbouring Asian nations have developed thriving economies by a creating a landscape conducive to ICT innovation, investment and R&D. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch our counterparts outpace us.”

The call for action follows an ACS conference in Canberra last week when the Minster for Finance and Deregulation , Lindsay Tanner, in a speech to 200 ICT professionals and senior executives, highlighted the importance of improving sustainability and minimising costs through better data centre management and the need for industry collaboration in achieving new sustainable technology measures.
 
In further harsh criticism of the government, Parakala said the ACS believed the approach to ICT policy and strategy in Australia was very fragmented.
 
“When the new Government came on board and announced the NBN as a key national strategy, we were encouraged by the focus on ICT as an enabler. However, there are policies and reviews in ICT, education, digital economy and innovation, yet there is no overarching national blueprint that will stimulate our economy, increase our international competitiveness and allow our nation to reap the full benefits of a flourishing digital economy.”
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