South Australians target creative content sector

James Riley
Friday, 24 July 2009 12:33

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The South Australian Government has targeted the creative content industries for special assistance as a critical part of the State’s future in a post-National Broadband Network Australia.


South Australian Science and Information Economy Minister Michael O’Brien said the local creative content sector already boasted world-class talent in games development and digital post production – areas the state could maintain a lead with access to faster broadband.

Releasing the State’s five-year Information Economy Agenda, O’Brien said government’s primary aim was to maximise participation online and to encourage innovative solutions to problems – with the aim of generating new products, new services and new businesses.

“This recognises that connecting to high-speed broadband; building a confident, educated and digitally literate population; and supporting our local creative content and ICT industry are the ingredients necessary to succeed in a fiercely competitive global economy,” the Minister said.

Pointing to companies like Rising Sun Pictures, Imagination Entertainment, and the People’s Republic of Animation, the IE Agenda says South Australian content firms had shown they were already capable of making an impact in international markets.

The Agenda outlined plans for a government “Digital Tommorrow” initiative aimed at better support for start-ups, and improving skills pathways in the local education systems.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann told iTWire he had written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeking more information on how the state can tap into opportunities presented by the National Broadband Network roll-out.

While unlikely that the state would be for the NBN headquarters to be located in Adelaide, other opportunities including the creation of brodband centres of excellence in the state still exist. It is understood Mr Rann will seek to have South Australia fast-tracked for the roll-out.

South Australia has previously outlined a goal to lift the participation rate of South Australians in broadband services from a current level of slightly below the national average. The government says it is on target to exceed the average by the middle of next year.

Meanwhile, the Information Economy Agenda sets out a priority program for the digital world based largely on existing South Australia expertise in the real world.

“South Australia can compete and succeed in the global information economy (through) specialisation in areas of known strength such as geospatial technologies, creative industries, indigenous arts, resources, education and defence and diversification of investments to ensure we do not put all our efforts in one basket.”