ACS calls for detailed federal ICT strategy in response to budget

In response to the Australian federal government's 2011 Budget announcement earlier this week, the Australian Computer Society has called for more details on ICT awareness plans, ICT education placement and e-health investment.

ACS President Anthony Wong said, “There is a welcome focus on skills in this year’s budget, including the announcement of an additional 16,000 skilled migrants to help alleviate regional Australia’s ongoing skills issues.

But, he said, “appropriate standards of practice should be applied to co-regulation between industry, the ICT profession and government. ICT skills underpin the digital economy - Australia’s most critical blue sky growth opportunity.”

According to Wong, the ACS wants to see more discussion of long-term ICT awareness plans, labelling skilled migration a “short-term measure”.

“Australia does not attract or produce enough students proficient in ICT skills to realise the potential of the NBN and the digital economy. We would like to see focus given to the national ICT curriculum to prepare the workforce of the future.

“We are encouraged by proposals to increase awareness of science and engineering within Australian schools and the community, however we would like to see a similar framework established for ICT awareness,” Wong said.

He also suggested that government, academia and industry need to devote more attention to providing industry experience for ICT students.

And despite the funding announced for some health areas, Wong said more information is required on investment in uptake of e-health services.

“We look forward to the release of the National Digital Economy Strategy at the end of May and are keen to see it include investment into digital productivity pilot projects for e-health and e-education especially for those unable to venture far from their residence,” he said.