Innovation an Election Afterthought Says AIIA
Innovation an Election Afterthought Says AIIA
November 23, 2007: According to the Australian Information Industry Association, the Labor party’s 11th hour mention of innovation as the foundation of industry growth is a relief in an election that has so far failed to present a real future for the ICT industry in Australia.
“While it is good to see that recognition, it is disappointing that it has arrived so late in the day,” says AIIA CEO Sheryle Moon. “There has been no innovation update from the government as part of this campaign.”
The association maintains that the gap between public research and private business is a barrier to innovation and the ICT industry, but merely recognising the problem is not enough.
While it notes that the broadband issue has been addressed in a viable ways by both parties, it says that the newly-elected government must also commit to an execution plan that is transparent to the community.
Beyond this, and looking at the ICT Industry Policy Action Plan the AIIA released in June, the four key policy areas are sustainability, industry sector growth, industry workforce and shaping the ICT business environment. The association claims that so far both parties have only partially delivered on these areas.
Still, the Coalition’s Workskills Voucher scheme has been praised by the AIIA as a welcome investment in the skills of industry employees, while it notes that policies on global industry integration and free trade agreements with new countries also bode well for the ICT business environment.
The association also says that the ALP’s Enterprise Connect program, which will deliver ten regional innovation centres over the coming decade and more, will provide strong support to the ICT business environment. While policies to halve HECS fees for maths and science students are also a good investment in the future of the ICT workforce.
Despite these positives, however, Moon says that it is disappointing to see the current policy proposals presented in isolation from a true vision for the ICT industry.
“Consider the prospects of continued economic growth, increased productivity, innovation, environmental management and national security in the light of a waning ICT sector,” said Moon.
“Neither party has talked about removing red tape for SMEs or recognised the critical role of the ICT industry in improving the state of the environment. The industry needs vision, leadership and policy that recognises ICT’s wider contribution to Australia as well as its potential to address so many of our key challenges into the future.”
“The alternative is to watch our claims to be the ‘clever country’ rapidly dwindle.”
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