On 25th August, the AIIA hosted Troy Buswell MP and Tony Simpson MLA to present the WA Liberal Party view on the ICT industry and what they would do for it if elected in September.
Simpson views ICT as a potential shining light in the WA economy - worthy of a Minister for ICT, which the Liberal Party would appoint to give true focus to the ICT for government, industry, education and community in Western Australia (applause from audience). Currently there are numerous departments and Ministers with authority over aspects of ICT in Western Australia.
Buswell presented on the state of the economy in Western Australia - a boom unlike anything since the gold rush in the 1890's. Although there is a boom/bust cycle - he considers this to a shift in activity which will not "bust", but needs to be managed to spread the wealth and broaden our economy.
Key factors in managing the economy were listed: resources, population growth, globalisation, food and energy. Considering these, Buswell put forward the four pillars for Western Australia going forward:
- Maximise food production - utilising technology and GM
- Energy - development and optimisation
- Sustainable cities in the North-West
- Innovation and human capital - downstream processing in a broad sense
He indicated that we needed to work on our infinite resources, not just those that draw-down on reserves. We can leverage off the resources industry to build our other industries and capabilities.
Focussing on human capital, Buswell highlighted four areas:
- Housing affordability - "Karratha is symptomatic of everything that's wrong in WA"
- Supporting our educational institutions - setting up WA as the international choice for education
- Creating a business-friendly environment - tax, legislation, industry development, support for technology and innovation. Learning from Queensland and Israel about what impact government can have.
- Importance of Human Capital to innovation and the economy - Changing our paradigm
Then it was time for questions...
Statewide Broadband Network and the NBN - previous lack of progress was blamed on the Federal Government - but eight months of wall to wall Labour has not made progress. We can do the Alberta-SuperNet in Western Australia.
Support for local companies - programs will be in place to keep companies in WA and to make it a competitive destination. This will include changes to taxes, charges and regulatory framework. To have a body for investment into companies as is seen in Israel. Industry experts - not politicians - making the decisions.
Office of Shared Services (OSS) - A full review of the OSS would be held (applause from audience) - Buswell said he had been following the OSS and considered it an utter disaster.
Reflection: We need an ICT policy in Western Australia. The Senate Inquiry was a step in the right direction and had the support of the local ICT Industry. The Department of Industry and Resources prepared the ICT Industry Initiatives 2008-2011 document to implement the Recommendations of the Inquiry Report. Not one item in the document was given funding by the Government. Without a strong ICT Industry, the WA economy with be hobbled - it is time for the WA Government to enable the enabler.
Valerie Maxville
Chair, ICTICC |
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