ACS Applauds Tasmanian Government’s Initiatives
Sunday 13 April 1997 - The Australian Computer Society has welcomed Thursday’s Directions Statement by Tasmanian Premier, Tony Rundle, saying the initiatives are both progressive and realistic in terms of being achievable.
ACS Tasmanian Branch Chair, Richard Wilson, said plans to establish an advanced telecommunications infrastructure and improve the quality and delivery of services to the community through IT, will be of major benefit to the entire state.
"We are delighted to see the Rundle Administration take a strong lead in the provision of IT products and infrastructure. These initiatives will enable Tasmania to establish itself as a meaningful player in the economy of the next century, not only taking advantage of new technologies but also showcasing their potential to improve the lives of people in remote areas.
"Moves by the Government to enhance Tasmania’s education system through IT will develop a strong information industry culture and capability in the State. At the same time, the decision to work closely with industry, the community and the University of Tasmania as strategic partners in implementing these strategies should see Tasmania become a centre for innovation in IT.
"The ACS will add its efforts to making the projected outcomes of this statement factual."
Mr Wilson said the Directions Statement links closely with ACS’ own vision for Australia of utilising IT to provide competitive advantage and working with expert partners to ensure the commercial success of the outcomes. He said the Society’s own initiatives were outlined in their submission to the Information Industries Taskforce, a copy of which was forwarded to the Tasmanian Premier. Mr Rundle was also briefed on key issues in the development and implementation of IT by ACS President, Tom Worthington, late last year.
"We certainly don’t presume to take credit for the Tasmanian initiatives, although we hope our presentations formed part of the research process for the Premier’s Statement, but we do want to commend this Government on its comprehensive and well-defined policies," he said.
"We would also want to suggest at this time that Premier Rundle give consideration to establishing a specific industry portfolio, such as a Ministry for Services, Communications, Information and Technologies, to provide a coherent focus for his information industry initiatives. Without such a focus, there is a genuine risk that IT would be consumed inside a portfolio which contained industry policies of a lesser priority," Mr Wilson said.
ACS National President, Tom Worthington, who is also a member of the project steering committee for a joint Government/Industry Enquiry into IT Research and Development in Australia underscored the importance of specialist IT ministries.
"The need for all State and Federal Governments to introduce Cabinet-level IT portfolios was one of the major planks of the Society’s IIT Submission, and would go a long way to ensuring the success of the Tasmanian plan.
"The ACS would welcome a further opportunity to consult with and assist the Tasmanian Government in implementing its initiatives, for the benefit of the whole community," he said.
This media release is located on the Web at http://www.acs.org.au/news/tasstate.htm and contains links to the Tasmanian Premier's Directions Statement, ACS Information Industries Strategy, IT R&D Strategy and a photo of Tom Worthington meeting Tony Rundle, Tuesday 17 September 1996.
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Richard Wilson ACS Tasmanian Branch Chair, Tel: (03) 6225 3880 or (0418) 375 415, Email: rtwilson@acslink.net.au
Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9630 2108 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au
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