ACS Week in Review: 21 September 2012
The following shows major ICT news across the sector and government for the week. For further information please contact ACS Head of Policy and External Affairs, Mr Adam Redman, on 02 9299 4450 or at adam.redman@acs.org.au.
Reports out this week
ACS in the news
- Pure hacking extends security consulting capabilities, CSO.com.au
- 50th anniversary of first computer in WA, The West Australian
ICT in the Media
Digital Economy – Online shopping in the news as DJs increase focus
Patents & Copyright – Western Australia schools software piracy could cost govt.
Security – Privacy reforms pass lower House
ICT jobs market and skills – School leavers take laptops with them in $2.4 bil scheme
Digital Economy
Chinese technology giant Huawei has warned Australia could be in breach of its international trade obligations if it adopts national security proposals that could allow the government to exclude ''certain foreign technology and service suppliers'' from the market.
Skills and Training
Cyber Security
- Reforms to the Privacy Act pass House of Representatives.
- Australia has emerged as a global leader in the production of spam, according to a new international report. Other security software providers have disputed the findings, but AVG Technologies said Australian sources generate more dangerous and unwanted email than Russia, Canada and Holland.
New South Wales have introduced new laws which make it an offence to sell an R18+ computer game to minors. - Government faces big bill due to 219 WA public schools running unlicensed software.
Telecommunications
- The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has won praise for its handling of the $250 million regional backbone blackspot program. An Australian National Audit Office audit found that procurement arrangements for the program were "effective" and that a "well-designed agreement" was instituted with the network's chosen builder and operator, Nextgen Networks.
Government announcements
- Desperate Turnbull cites outdated forecasts to defend NBN misrepresentations Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today accused Malcolm Turnbull of rank hypocrisy for investing in another telecommunications company that is building a fibre to the home network.
NBN rolling out to another 16,000 homes and businesses in northern Queensland Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Labor Senator for Queensland, Jan McLucas, today announced that another 16,600 homes and businesses in northern Queensland will be able to access the National Broadband Network (NBN) in about 12 months.
- Planning for business success now in the palm of your hands The Federal Government have developed a suite of free iPad apps for business owners.
Australia’s top university staff honored Australia's most inspiring academic and professional staff have been recognised for enriching student learning with prestigious Citation Awards from the Gillard Government.
Opposition announcements
Some simple questions for Stephen Conroy -Why did the NBN state in January 2011 that it “plans to pass 172,000 premises and provide and establish an active service to some 132,000 premises in Greenfield estates by June 2012”– and then proceed to establish an active service in only 500 premises by that date (according to page 36 of the 2012-2015 Corporate Plan)?