Government, Industry must take ISA recommendations seriously to secure Australia’s future
Canberra, Wednesday 31 January 2018: ACS President Yohan Ramasundara has welcomed the Australia 2030 report from Innovation and Science Australia as a step in the right direction and called on Government and Industry to embrace the recommendations contained within, particularly those around education and the role of Government as a catalyst for innovation.
Speaking from Canberra following a meeting with Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Mr Ramasundara highlighted the alignment between the ACS 5-year strategy and the recommendations of the report.
“In 2017 we launched a 5-year strategy based around three pillars – Capacity, Capability and Catalyst – and it is pleasing to see ISA calling for Government and industry to embrace these principles. We agree with the notion of Government being a catalyst for innovation, with greater facilitation collaboration and agility.”
“The proposal to optimise the interaction of industry with schools through the work of the STEM Partnership Forum will be a key element of helping students become job ready for when they graduate from higher education and into the workforce.”
“The jobs which our children will have in the future have not in many cases been invented yet. We need to make sure tomorrow’s workforce is adequately prepared for a future which will be digital in nature and likely subject to market forces which are more fluid than at any time before.”
“Encouraging a cross-jurisdictional approach to innovation is a positive step to aligning the Commonwealth with the States and Territories, which will help foster collaboration between the two. Governments should be working, at every level, towards the same outcome – a better experience for citizens through the adoption of digital technologies.”
“While the concept of a National Mission for health is a noble one, and one worth pursuing, we must ensure that further National Missions - like the push to become a leader in medical innovation or service transformation – are not unduly delayed. It is critical that we take the momentum generated by this report and cultivate the skills, knowledge and talent required to maximise the benefits of innovation, science and technology for every Australian to thrive in the future.”
-ENDS-
Further Information
Thomas Shanahan: 0417 678 474, Thomas.Shanahan@acs.org.au
About ACS
ACS is the professional association for Australia's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. More than 27,000 ACS members work in business, education, government and the community. ACS exists to create the environment and provide the opportunities for members and partners to succeed. ACS strives for ICT professionals to be recognised as drivers of innovation in our society, relevant across all sectors, and to promote the formulation of effective policies on ICT and related matters. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.