I am outraged that the opening presentation at Australia’s ICT Outlook Forum has advocated greater overseas outsourcing at the expense of local jobs and opportunities.
Australia’s ICT trade deficit is already a staggering $14 billion per annum and growing three times faster than the overall trade deficit.
Despite this, the Howard Government is continuing to promote its failed Framework for the Future agenda which does little to promote local industry.
It is both disgraceful and typical of the Coalition to promote a forum supposedly about building the Australian ICT industry and then ensure it is dominated by self-serving multinational vendors advocating overseas outsourcing at the expense of local businesses and jobs.
The message from the Coalition Government is clear. The big end of town will keep control of ICT industry development policy and there is nothing to stop them.
Conference Chair, Neville Roach and Minister for Education Brendan Nelson both paid lip service to Australia’s burgeoning ICT trade deficit, but then the Coalition’s real agenda to promote offshore software development emerged.
The Coalition’s ICT policies, including purchasing and industry development, have been biased against local industry for too long.
Labor rejects this approach and is developing policies that will provide strategic support for the crucial local ICT sector.
Labor understands the urgent need to improve Australia’s ICT growth in order to tackle the ICT trade deficit and create high-value jobs in the sector.
Local industry organisations must assert their members’ interest and challenge the Federal Government’s subservience, ignorance and damaging favouritism towards the big end of town.
Media contact: Adina Cirson – (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
