Conroy, Smith and Ludlam to debate on ICT in August
- 19 July, 2010 12:24
- Comments 18
The key ICT political figures in the Federal Election are expected to go head to head in a debate at the National Press Club on 10 August.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has extended invitations to communications minister, Stephen Conroy, the Opposition shadow communications minister, Tony Smith, and Greens ICT spokesperson, Scott Ludlam to take part in the event.
The ACS ran a similar electoral forum prior to the Tasmanian state election with Labor, Liberal and Greens representatives taking part.
If it runs in the same fashion, the three politicians will be given a chance to outline their policies on ICT-related issues and will also then face questions from the audience.
To date, the Labor party has given considerable prominence to ICT in many of its policies including through the national broadband network (NBN), e-Health, smart grid trials, and the computers in schools program to name a few, but has come under fire for costs and poor management.
In contrast the Liberal party has been reticent on providing any policy details on ICT issues, instead focussing on criticising the government’s performance. The Opposition’s alternative to the NBN, for example, is being highly anticipated.
The Greens, meanwhile, have often taken the role of the voice of reason calling for the scrapping of the mandatory ISP-level Internet filter and for a business case on the NBN to be outlined.
Computerworld Australia will seek to clarify each party's policy commitments on the following ICT-related issues in the lead up to the vote:
- The National Broadband Network (NBN);
- e-Health
- Digital education (computers in schools)
- Gershon Review changes
- Government 2.0
- Security and cyber crime
- The Internet filter
- Defence cyber capabilities and oversight
- ICT skills development
- ICT innovation
- Privacy Act changes
- Sustainable ICT
- Smart grids, transport and environment systems
- Online piracy and copyright protection
- ICT advocacy
- Online services
- Departmental IT transformation programs
Please list any other areas you would like to hear policy commitments on below.
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Comments
GS
Two other areas:
Web/Internet Data Retention proposal/policy
ACTA
Trevor Clarke
Thanks GS - I'll add them to the list
Kanook
If the Mainstream media would care to do some research online they would an incredible storm building against labour because of its Internet Filter.
We know the filter is still on, just hidden for the election!
Have a look online and see just how big the Filter is as an issue in this election.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1489885&p=-1#bottom
Daniel
I would like to debate ACCC lack of powers as well as Regulations and Legislation debate needed.
@kanook#, there is, but the greens preferenced with Labor today, so I hopefully this will greatly reduce the chances of Labor introducing the ISP Filtering, if Greens hold balance of power.
Phil Collins
That list looks like a lot of that stuff Smith or Conroy don't have any responsibility for. Would suggest a election debate would be about portfolio responsibilities, not catching them out on topics not really anything to do with them. Conroy's departnment site should list the stuff.
Raymond
Who cares what Conroy and Lulam think! they are both short term regarding NBN and both are Crayfish!
RS
@#6...
Lol, the mouth/sans brain, is now reduced to 1 and a half lines of trolling political stupidity, because everything he says, is proven W R O N G and comes back to bite him!
Keep up the good work [sic] Raymond.
Ooh and don't forget to be on hand on the 21/8 (no not the 28/8 as you and your insider info claimed, lol) to hand out those, how to vote Liberal cards, if it's not beyond you!
Mike
Another area each should be asked to comment on - a commitment to use open source software for common desktop applications and content management systems. The Commonwealth spends half a BILLION dollars every year on software licences and goodness knows how much more on the tendering/procurement process.
Brad
There are lot of topics that are not relevant to their portfolios. e-Health is Dept of Health, security and cyber crime is Attorney-General, Gershon and Government 2.0 is Dept of Finance, Defence cyber capabilities is Dept of Defence, skills and computers in schools is Dept of Education, innovation is Dept of Industry. Stick to their direct responsibilities like NBN and internet filter, particularly the multitude of reasons why the filter won't work.
Simon
@Mike +1
Bryan Conquest
I would like to know the cost on the householder to access the National Broadband which I understand will only be passing each household and will not be connected to each house until it is contracted.
D Newman
At this time, the install fee is waived for Tasmania, but most ive seen, ie "x" saving if sign up now, has been 400 dollars cant see that model changing greatly, and with compition bound to be hot amongest the ISP,s to start with I would say it will continued to be waived...
I know the whole start fee thing is marketing B/S but sadly thats the only info ive got...
ES
Hi,
Would love to hear their thoughts on the ACTA trade agreement, specifically whether they support it and the changes they believe it would mean for the industry.
Phoenix
Trevor Clarke, Please add this question to your list on "The Internet Filter".
Ask all of them to clearly, positively, absolutely, define just what "public interest" safeguards will be put in place ...FIRST... to ensure that those individuals who are in the Government's employ and who have actual daily control over the composition of the proposed Internet Filter 'SECRET' Blacklist, do not abuse that incredible vested power, either themselves, or at the behest / direction of their, "Government of the day" employer...?
In other words, "Who will be watching the Watchkeepers" and indeed keeping them ...TOTALLY... accountable for the true benefit of the Australian general public and not just for the benefit of the "Government of the day's" own vested interests...?
The importance of this question cannot possibly be over emphasised with it's full implications for the future continuation of our Australian Democracy should both the Government's Internet Filter and the NBN actually come to be implemented.
kect
i,m interested in the cost to the fixed line phone I don,t believe anything Conroy says
D Newman
Well Conroy wouldnt know, as if your on a NBN network chances are your on VOIP via your ISP, and if so, then its free, no line rental, free national and local calls, just overseas and mobile...
Of course this depends on the company you choose to go with and /or you choose VOIP, Conroy has nothing to do with the issue.
D Newman
Amendment, Conroy still doesnt but the NBN co are responable for the wholesale price, know what that is, and you will know if your getting a fair deal from whoever you choose to go with for services, remember the NBN co is wholesale only.
And dont worry the wholesale price will always be unofficialy made available, and easy to find out, even now its widely publicly discussed, so use it as a benchmark.
Across the board of suppliers you should get roughly 20 to 40 speed(internet), VOIP(telephone) and the sadly outdated model, but still with us, download usage, for the same price as the average Telephone line rental and phonecalls with Telstra.
D Newman
DARN it, correction to above, before someone leaps up and down screaming names like a Gibbon on crack, the speed of the internet im using for comparision is 20 to 30 NOT 20 to 40
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