ACS Raises Questions over FTA Agenda

Friday 26 September 2003 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has questioned the Federal Government's agenda in pushing for agreement on free trade negotiations by the end of this year.

Addressing a meeting of the Australian Services Roundtable in Sydney on Wednesday, ACS President Richard Hogg said more time was needed to fully consider the implications of issues relating to free trade.

"The timeframe for signing an agreement - at this stage by the end of 2003 - is clearly too tight for some issues to be properly discussed. The Government agenda is to have the FTA signed by then so that an election can be called to sell the benefits," Mr Hogg told the meeting.

The services sector is a major contributor to the Australian economy, accounting for over 75 per cent of both the value of production and of total employment. Mr Hogg pointed to the role played by Information and Communications Technology ICT) as the key enabler of all service sectors.

"Not only does ICT directly employ around 275,000 people and account for eight per cent of GDP in its own right, but its role in enhancing productivity in areas like banking and finance, media, hospitality and tourism makes it critical to the effective performance of these industry sectors as well," he said.

The meeting, which brought together industry heavyweights and stakeholders to discuss the implications of offshore outsourcing, also heard presentations from Neville Roach, John Gwyther, Francis Galbally, Jenny Beresford, Hugh Morgan and John Ridge.

Mr Ridge called for a re-think on the impact of this growing trend, highlighting the potential loss of ICT skills, and the flow-on effect of that loss on our ability to compete within a global market. He also raised doubts about the economic viability of such a move, saying the cost to Australia in terms of lost revenues, wages and taxes outweighed any potentially savings.

"I believe we need to see the outsourcing market as an opportunity for Australia to grow our own Multi-National Corporations capable of competing on the world stage," he said.

"We have the knowledge and skills, a good communications infrastructure and excellent corporate culture and work ethics. We can compete effectively with countries like Canada and Ireland, which currently rank as the world's 2nd and 3rd largest ICT outsourcers."

Mr Ridge called for greater support and leadership from government to help the ICT services industry develop its full potential and become a force to be reckoned with in the global market.

In closing the meeting, Mr Hogg said there was a need for closer cooperation between all stakeholders to aggressively market Australia's skills and capabilities in ICT services.

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/260903.htm

ENDS

About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS 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.

Media Enquiries:

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

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