Communications Minister Stephen Conroy looks to the future at CeBit
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy looks to the future at CeBit
Month Date, 2008: Federal Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy has outlined Labor’s vision of a future fueled by a digital economy in his keynote address to the CeBit conference in Sydney.
With a flashing neon stage that would make even the most colourful rock band jealous, Senator Stephen Conroy delivered a keynote speech that sought to reaffirm Labor’s commitment to the digital economy.
“The innovative use of new technology is a huge part of continued economic growth,” said Conroy.
Fran Kelly, conference MC and radio broadcaster for Radio National called attention to the Keating Government who spearheaded a delegation of over 20 Australian companies in 1995 to CeBit in Hannover in Germany.
“This year only five companies were tragically represented and there wasn’t an Australian pavilion, even New Zealand had its own pavilion,” said Kelly.
Conroy was quick to fire back at this, claiming it was a depressing statistic and placed the blame squarely at the feet of the previous regime, “under the Rudd Labor Government we’re open for business again,” he said.
The minister drew attention to Labor’s fiber-to-the-node plan and referred to the Building Australia fund, which was announced in Treasurer Wayne Swann’s inaugural budget, as having the potential to facilitate the delivery of the broadband network.
CeBit itself drew glowing praise from the department charged with filling Labor’s second most expensive election promise, with Conroy drawing attention to the ideas that will be highlighted during the conference.
“It’s stimulating to hear researchers talking about where technology is going, all I get to talk about is digging holes and laying fiber,” said Conroy.