Sheer frustration at the Howard Government’s mismanagement of technological innovation and IT policy has led business and university leaders to publicly urge the Coalition to act on reports from its chief scientist and the Innovation Summit Implementation Group, the Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
In a letter published in today’s national newspapers, business and academic leaders have called on the Coalition to offer effective IT policies across the education, industry and communications portfolios.
The letter was co-signed by leaders of the Australian Academy of Science, Business Council of Australia, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee, Institution of Engineers Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australian Industry Group, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies and the Business-Higher Education Round Table.
“These key leaders of industry and education are calling on the Howard Government to urgently develop and implement an innovation action plan to underpin growth of the knowledge economy”, Senator Lundy said.
“For business and academic leaders, the crunch came at the World Economic Forum (WEF), where Coalition policies were regarded as representing an ‘old economy’ and lacking vision and leadership.
“Peter Costello’s comments that Australia should be satisfied being a consumer of technology, rather than an innovative producer and developer, were not well received by the industry and education sectors.
“It’s no wonder that peak business organisations are venting their frustration at being ignored. Hence their very public message of no-confidence in the Coalition’s inability to build a vision for Australia to pursue policies that reflect the massive technological changes confronting the world.
“The Coalition’s negligence in terms of IT policy impacts on all levels of society, not just the economic and business sectors. It affects employment and education opportunities for all Australians.
“Labor maintains that innovative and visionary IT policies are needed if Australia is to become a knowledge-based society”, Senator Lundy said.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 02-6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
