AIIA looking for consolidation partners?

James Riley
Thursday, 05 November 2009 14:08

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Australian Information Industry Association is investigating ways to amalgamate its interests with those of other industry groups to create a more powerful voice for the sector in Government forums.

It is a story as perennial as the grass: The ICT industry has too many industry groups, and everyone would be better off if self-interest could be set aside and the groups came together.

And government's of all persuasions have expressed frustration for years at having to deal with so many different groups claiming ownership of the ICT sector.

The AIIA has been here before, and has even held preliminary talks previously with other groups. But something has changed, and AIIA chief executive Ian Birks says a consolidation of industry groups is something the association was "actively" looking at.

"I'm not at liberty to say whether there are any specific discussions going on but it has been a consistent desire of the AIIA that there be some kind of consolidation of the industry associations to achieve a stronger and less fragmented voice in terms of industry representation," Birks told iTWire.

"(A consolidation) is certainly something that we would actively like to see happen … and I am expressing our desire and our enthusiasm to see that happen," he said.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has noted publicly his preference would be to deal with fewer industry groups.

But it was his announcement this week that Government would hold its own "Realising Our Broadband Future" without bothering to enlist the help of any of the industry groups that sent the clearest message.

While the AIIA held exploratory talks with the Australian Computer Society, Birks said an amalgamation with the ACS was not on the cards, simply because the ACS represents individuals and the AIIA represents corporates.

"(But) we would be looking to merge with other industry associations that are focused on the corporate sector and representing the ICT space," Birks said.

"We have far too many industry associations at the moment. They basically dilute our ability to talk to Government and other stakeholders."