MEDIA RELEASE

Little for IT&T in Federal Budget, says ACS

ACS President Questions Value of Ignoring IT&T

Wednesday 12 May 1999 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has criticised the Government over last night's Federal Budget, asking why there were few measures to encourage and grow the nation's IT&T industries.

ACS President, Prins Ralston, said he was concerned at the Government's apparent indifference to the needs of the Australian community and he stressed the importance of providing a vision for the all Australians as we move into the Knowledge Age.

"This seem incongruous given the Treasurer's repeated assertion that the Budget was specifically designed to petition Australia for the new Millennium. There is nothing in this Budget that recognises the times in which we live and the critical role to be played by IT&T in our society," he said.

"In last night's address, more attention was paid, and more support given, to the emerging science of biotechnology than to the IT&T industries that pervade every aspect of our lives. The Government is focused on short term issues like the GST and has missed the opportunity to ensure that Australian industry and society are adequately prepared and resourced for a major role in the global information economy.

Mr Ralston said he was surprised at the way the IT&T industry was almost completely ignored in the Government's planning.

"Based on the emphasis in the Budget, one could be forgiven for thinking Australia doesn't have or want an information industry," he said.

The ACS was looking for measures to address the IT skills crisis, funding for IT tertiary education and initiatives to encourage IT investment and attract the international IT&T industry to establish operations in Australia.

Mr Ralston said the lack of interest from the Government is "a sad indictment when you consider the enormous potential of IT&T to contribute to growing the Australian economy".

"Such attitudes will also negatively impact the balance of payments as we will have to export Australian IT&T work to countries with more trained IT staff.

"The Government seems to think it's up to the industry to drive the necessary growth, but you can't expect an industry to create appropriate public policy or to produce a vision for the country. We're talking about global companies that are focused on business and profits - we shouldn't entrust our future to them."

Mr Ralston also questioned the focus on creating a budget surplus at a time when he said IT&T infrastructure is needed by all Australians to take advantage of the Internet and technology convergence.

"We're putting money away for the future, but the future is passing us by, because we're not building the skills or the capacity to leverage the opportunities.

"If the Government were to invest some of its surplus in developing the IT&T skills and infrastructure available to the Australian population, the returns would be demonstrably greater than could be realised by almost any other industry," he said.

This media release is located on the ACS Web site.

See also the Federal Budget for full details of the Government's package.

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 members. It is the public voice of the IT profession, 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:

Prins Ralston, ACS President, Tel: (0411) 755 069, Email: prins@bmconsult.com.au

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au