Communications Minister Stephen Conroy this week unveiled a roadmap for Australia’s participation in the digital economy, launching a directions paper for the future.
Conroy says the digital economy is essential to Australia’s productivity, global competitive standing and improved social well-being:
“It is the computers, the phones, our TVs, the networks and the banking systems that we use in our personal life and our business each day. In the future it will be so much more, connecting every part of our lives and providing new opportunities across society and the economy.”
Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions is a paper outlining the key areas of focus for Government, industry and the community to promote Australia’s success in the digital economy.
The paper also includes twelve case studies of Australians who have successfully engaged with the digital economy from a range of different sectors, identifying “the benefits for Australia in maximising the investment in broadband infrastructure and developing a world class digital economy.”
“Australia needs a digitally aware and enabling government, a digitally confident, innovative and skilled industry and a digitally literate and empowered community. The paper explores the actions we need to advance to enhance these key factors for success. Already, the Government is taking a leading role, enabling the digital economy through investments like the National Broadband Network. It is time now for Government, industry and the community to work together to foster and harness the benefits on offer in the digital economy,” says Conroy.
Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions has been developed in close collaboration with industry and other stakeholders through a three stage consultation process including industry workshops, a blog and a consultation draft paper.
To show the Department of Communications is itself up with the new technology, the Future Directions paper has been published in multiple formats, under a Creative Commons license and with a tag cloud and social bookmarking tags.
The Department also has a Youtube page.
Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions is available at the link below.