ACS Welcomes Industry Call for Government Leadership on ICT

Monday 25 February 2002 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has backed calls today by the global head of Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) for the Australian Government to show greater leadership in developing the ICT industry.

Bob Bishop, who grew up in Australia and has returned for the World Congress on IT in Adelaide this week, has warned that Government action is needed to stop Australia from slipping off the global IT radar screen.

His comments echo calls by the ACS for the Federal Government to take swift and decisive action to accelerate the opening up of broadband Internet access, to limit Telstra's control over broadband infrastructure, and to stimulate growth within the venture capital and software development industry sectors.

ACS National President. Richard Hogg, said Mr Bishop's Australian background and his roles as chief executive of a major IT company and an international advisor to Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, gave him insight into what Australia needed to do to compete effectively within the region.

"We accord with Mr Bishop that Government has a critical role to play in driving industry development forward. You cannot rely on private enterprise because their shareholders might not be willing to wear the risk associated with long-term infrastructure investments - this is clearly a role for Government in build up the country's broadband capability," he said.

Mr Hogg pointed to the quality of access afforded by Australia's mobile phone network, saying it provided a benchmark for assessing the standard of the nation's broadband rollout.

"We also stress the role of Government in developing the local software industry, an area where we already have significant strengths but which is penalised by shortsighted government purchasing policies," he said.

"As Australia's largest purchaser of ICT goods and services, Government must ensure at least a level playing field, and preferably a system that favours local developers, when administering tenders for Government contracts."

Mr Hogg said the ACS was keen to facilitate additional opportunities for government, the private sector and industry bodies to jointly discuss issues of importance to the ICT industry.

"We already communicate regularly with all parties and we must continue to foster the spirit of collaboration that already exists," he said.

"We must ensure the use of Australia's ICT skills is maximised for the benefit of our local industry and the economy as a whole."

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/250202.htm

ENDS

The Australian Computer Society is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT.See the ACS Home Page for more information.

Richard Hogg, ACS National President, Tel: (0408) 549 531, Email: richard_hogg@acslink.net.au

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au