While the Coalition has been happy to bend over backwards to support multinational information and communications technology (ICT) companies, it has not seen fit to do the same for local small businesses, the Shadow Minister for Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
Senator Lundy was told in a Senate Committee that Government officers chose not to apply sanctions when IBM GSA did not deliver on a contractual requirement to provide marketing and product development to three local Australian firms.
“It is an absolute disgrace that IBM GSA has failed to deliver on three specific industry development commitments designed to assist local ICT small businesses, when these were a condition of them winning the Health Group ICT outsourcing contract,” Senator Lundy said.
“Among other things, this support was supposed to facilitate these businesses becoming Australian exporters.
“It is also completely unacceptable that the Coalition has failed to act on this omission,” Senator Lundy said.
“This demonstrates the Coalition’s complete lack of credibility when it comes to encouraging the Australian ICT industry and Australian ICT small businesses.
“I call on the Coalition to act immediately to ensure that IBM delivers in full their commitments to the small businesses affected,” Senator Lundy concluded.
Media contact: Simon Tatz (02) 6277 3334 or Electorate Office 0418 488 295.
