AIIA - Australian Information Industry Association

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Thursday 29 November 2007

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) today welcomed the appointment of Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy as Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

“As Shadow Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Senator Conroy has been a strong advocate of improved telecommunications infrastructure and the wider ICT industry in Australia,” said AIIA CEO Sheryle Moon.

“We look forward to working with Minister Conroy, and welcome the refocusing of the new portfolio to include the digital economy. It is important that the ICT industry is recognised at the level of policy and legislation for its wider contribution to Australia’s national interests.”

The AIIA said that the policies presented by the government during the recent election campaign were viable and supported the ALP’s plans for a national broadband infrastructure.

“The first order of the day for the new minister must be to provide Australia with a clear timetable for the rollout of a national broadband infrastructure,” said Ms Moon. “Australian business needs this information now if it is to compete successfully in a global marketplace.”

“The government has presented good policies in other areas that will address pressures on the global competitiveness of the Australian ICT industry, and we will be particularly pleased to work with the new minister towards revitalising R&D and improving skills development in the sector.”

“However, what the industry requires as a priority is clear vision and consistent leadership across many areas of policy - including education, trade and the environment,” said Ms Moon.

“Science and technology-led innovation in the services sector will be critical to the digital economy. In this regard AIIA would like to see a strong emphasis on the Innovation Future for Australian Industry paper, presented by the ALP prior to the election.”

“The AIIA has long held that innovation is the foundation of industry growth,” said Ms Moon. “Considerable work will be required to ensure that a vision for industry growth founded on innovation can be transferred into effective policy and action on the ground.”

“For an industry that contributes 4.6% of GDP, employs 500,000 people, exports $5.7 billion in goods and services, and that will enable the solutions to many of Australia’s most pressing problems, we hope that nothing less is considered.” concluded Ms Moon.