Australian Government ICT Funding Must Cater for the Basics as well as the Brilliant
Thursday 6 May 2004 - The ACS (Australian Computer Society)
President Edward Mandla today welcomed the $5.3 billion boost to Government funding for science and innovation, but renewed his call for a national standard of computer literacy in our schools. "We congratulate the Australian Government for the announcement today of a further $5.3 Billion in funding for Backing Australia's Ability. This is certainly a huge shot in the arm for ICT innovation," says Mr Edward Mandla. "However, a strong computer literacy program is equally critical to our industry's future and we remain keen to work with Government. "We applaud the Government's statement that science and innovation investment is an investment in Australia's social and economic prosperity. However, computer literacy is also an important investment for our future. Any child who leaves school by 2010 without the appropriate computer skills may well be setting themselves up for a life of poverty. "Should we expect our children to be able to harness new technologies if they lack even the most basic computer skills? "The social and economic cost of computer illiteracy is felt at every level. Without adequate computer skills, our school leavers are ill-prepared for the workforce and the pool of talent available to our Universities and R & D agencies will be diminished." "The ACS believes it is imperative that the Australian Government develop and implement a real time-line for the delivery of a standard computer literacy program into every Australian secondary school. "We encourage the Government to assess the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), or an equivalent product, as a potential benchmark computer literacy standard. The ICDL is recognised in over 135 countries across the globe. The ICDL is internationally recognised as the world's leading end-user computer skills certification program. This program provides the Government with a solution and with today's announcement provides the ability to fund such a program. "We're particularly excited about the new $1 billion Commercial Ready program and the boost in funding for the COMET program, for their potential to address the on-going challenge of turning great ideas into commercial products that generate export dollars," he said. Mr Mandla said the additional funding for research and development would assist ICT companies in pursuing new technologies and markets, as well as the extension of R&D-related tax breaks. This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/060504.htm
ENDS
The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.
ACS - ICT Professionals Shaping our Future
Media Enquiries:
Edward Mandla, ACS National President, Tel: (02) 8257 1760, Email: edwardm@acslink.net.au
Antonia O'Neill, Launch Management Group, Tel: 02 8257 1741 or 0417 252 805
Fleur Brown, Launch Management Group, Tel: 02 8257 1741 or 0419 270 863
Caroline New, New Media, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@bigpond.com
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