Australian Computer Society (ACS) CEO, Bruce Lakin outlined the representative body’s main focus for the election:
1. A senior minister with responsibility for an ICT portfolio. We think that needs to be addressed in a broader context than the current Broadband, Digital Economy and Communications we see with Senator Conroy. The sector is now so strategically important for the nation in terms of enabling productivity across the boards but not just in the ICT sector tat it is time to get that level of government attention.
2. Need for a high-speed broadband network. We would like to see both parties provide attention to life after the cables in the ground. One way or the other, irrespective of public statements it is going to happen. But the more important thing is it is an enabling technology for the nation and what support and direction is the government going to give to the rollout of services and the creation of new industries across the board?
3. We are concerned about the skilled workforce. We have been beating the drum for some time about the need for integrated workplace learning; the idea of the undergrads in the tech sector getting an opportunity to hone their skills in the real live economy. We think the government needs to take a position of providing more tangible support to that goal, because there is a growing acceptance from the academics and industry that it is essential to address the skills gap.
4. The need to retain skills in the workforce and a recognition that we have senior ICT professionals that are entering retirement at a time in many places. In some enterprises, their skills are not irreplaceable but are difficult to replace. So we think there may be some initiative there required to retain those skills and to encourage them to mentor the next generation.
Read other policy commitment wish lists from the ICT industry