commentary Queensland has been launched into a snap state election, and the local IT Industry is feeling a little left out of not only the campaign policy platforms by the major parties, but the broader infrastructure dialogue happening at a national level.
There are some clear opportunities that could be picked up by either side of politics, and some simple line items that have been a thorn in the side of the high technology industries in this state can be easily addressed.
In simple terms, an innovation agenda for Queensland could address the following policy items with ease:
- Publish and release the state-owned broadband fibre network for shared commercial use by Queensland companies
- Establish a Queensland-based innovation precinct with significant regionally competitive tax benefits for high technology companies (IT, media, biotech, games and hi-tech consumer goods)
- Articulate an understanding that the digital economy is an integral and critical part of our state's infrastructure vision and spend and overall economic focus
- Mandate automation of citizen-facing government processes and workflows
These four simple points are relatively easy to achieve. Predominantly they are more policy than having any significant funding requirement.
I have often hit the roadblock that automating government processes can cost jobs, but that is five-year-old public sector thinking, and most government departments are under-resourced. Surely the automated efficiencies gained, allows these departments to better utilise what current resources they have.
It is like we are building railways while all around us other nations are assembling Boeing 747s.
I'm amazed that at a federal level, at least, the recent proposed stimulus package addresses not one element of broadband infrastructure and therefore no significant infrastructure element that supports Australia's digital economy.
It is like we are building railways while all around us other nations are assembling Boeing 747s.
I'd be intrigued to see what the parties come up with for their ICT Policy platforms, and I know the three local industry associations (Software Queensland, AIIA and the ACS) don't intend on us hitting the election next month without having these detailed.
This article is by Glenn Irvine, a business development executive with IBM partner Eos Solutions. He is also involved with Software Queensland. It first appeared on his own site, A Collaborative View and is published on ZDNet.com.au with his permission.
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Let's get it right!
What is the LARGEST employment sector in Queensland? Answer: Information and communications services and systems - by far - yes - including the mining and primary industry sector.
So - where from either party, or an independent, is a forward looking ICT policy plan?
After all - many of us still HAVE TO LIVE with a dial up Internet connection on pair gain circuits courtesy of Sol...
Umm..........
WJC