Senator Alston’s removal from the front bench comes after years of being asleep at the wheel and disinterest in his portfolio, particularly Information Technology (IT).
Alston’s legacy in the IT portfolio is one of holding back Australia’s ICT potential and ensuring Australia slips in the ranks of key knowledge economy indicators, like broadband penetration. For a Minister who has continually put the interests of the big end of town first: three strikes and you’re out:
Strike One: Massive ICT Trade Deficit
Australia has been going backwards in ICT industry development, resulting in a devastating ICT trade deficit. Imports have soared and Australia’s ICT sector has shrunk.
Strike Two: Slow Broadband Internet Penetration
Under Senator Alston’s watch, Australia’s broadband penetration slipped from 13th to 19th in the OECD.
Strike Three: Internet ignorance
Senator Alston’s ridiculous and unworkable internet content regulatory regimes for adult content and online gambling earned him an international reputation as “the World’s Biggest Luddite”.
Alston’s other noteworthy debacles include: the failed Framework for the Future Report (his only ICT policy contribution); his failure to address Telstra’s growing dominance in the broadband communications sector and, finally, his departmental website which cost a whopping $4 million.
Senator Alston has had his three strikes, and now he’s out. His failing interest in Australia’s ICT industry was a standing joke within the sector, and he spent most of his energies criticising ICT journalists and industry groups which dared to criticise him.
The ICT sector needs and deserves a Minister with vision and energy, but unfortunately by replacing Senator Alston with Daryl Williams, the Prime Minister has substituted a Minister asleep at the wheel with a plodder, hardly known for his dynamism.
The big questions on everyone’s lips are now: “Which overseas posting is Senator Alston off to?” and, “Why should he be rewarded for failure?”
Media contact: Adina Cirson – (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
