Internet Society of Australia
A Chapter of the Internet Society
ABN 36 076 406 801

ICT Industry Announces Unprecedented Alliance

The leading representative bodies in the information industry have come together in an unprecedented manner to form the Information Communications and Telecommunications (ICT) Alliance. The purpose of this informal alliance is to ensure the industry and its people play a key role in shaping national information policy. The organisations represented in the alliance include:

• Asia Pacific Smart Card Forum
• Australian Computer Society
• Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association Ltd
• Australian Information Industry Association
• Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association
• Australian Telecommunications Users Group
• Internet Industry Association
• Internet Society of Australia
• National Electrical Communications Association
• Service Providers Industry Association
• Software Engineering Australia

The information industry is the most rapidly growing industry in the world and the fastest growing sector in international trade, with global revenues in excess of $US2 trillion. A vital enabler driving productivity and competitiveness right across the economy, the industry also plays an increasingly important role in the wider community.

The industry is one of Australia's largest export sectors with exports exceeding four billion dollars per annum. It is extremely diverse, covering computers and communications hardware, software, IT and telecommunications services, the Internet, e-commerce, multimedia content, electronics, and smart cards. Almost every person in Australia uses an ICT product, content or service every day, when they're shopping, banking, organising travel or simply making a telephone call or watching TV.

The information industry employs more than 200,000 Australians and generates total revenues in excess of $60 billion, which amounts to 9% of Australia's GDP. With growth rates of over 10% per annum, the industry provides a dynamic range of investment and employment opportunities in Australia.

The ICT Alliance believes that, given the right policy settings, the industry can make an even greater contribution to the economic and social well being of the Australian community. Australia's competitors have a comprehensive range of programs to foster their information industry and to promote the rapid take-up of information and communications technology, especially e-commerce. While Australia has some good programs in place, more must be done if we are to achieve our potential in the information future.

To provide the best environment for the information industry and maximise its contribution to the economy, the Government must demonstrate a long-term commitment to developing an innovative and entrepreneurial culture in Australia. Specifically, it needs need to address a number of issues, including:

• Significantly increased funding for public sector research, especially in collaboration with industry;
• Skills, especially in the key areas of research and higher education;
• Personal incentives to attract and retain the best people in our industry;
• Improved financial incentives for private sector research and development; and
• Programs to facilitate stronger industry and research sector linkages.

• The shortage of ICT skills;
• Further improvements to the tax system, particularly in the areas of capital gains tax, corporate tax and employee share option plans;
• Business and community access to the information structure, including driving the take up of e-commerce; and
• Continuing emphasis on support for SMEs through initiatives such as BITS, START, and some innovative new programs.

One of the tasks that the Alliance has identified is the need for the industry (and government) to comprehensively determine the full extent of its reach across all industry sectors and to quantify its impact on the Australian economy now and in the future.

The ICT Industry Alliance aims to provide a cohesive voice for its members to communicate more effectively to all governments and the Australian community.