This information is available for archival purposes only.

 

Mr Daryl Williams Media Release

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE INFORMATION ECONOMY



13 July 2004
108/04

The Howard Government has today released its strategic vision to ensure that Australia maintains its position as one of the world's leading information economies.

Australia's Strategic Framework for the Information Economy 2004-06: Opportunities and Challenges for the Information Age is a vision that brings together the resources of all sectors of the economy - including government, private, education and not-for-profit - in a coordinated strategy to maintain Australia's leading-edge position in an environment of constant and rapid technological change.

The framework sets four key priorities to ensure the ongoing development of Australia's information economy. These are:

  • ensuring that all Australians have the capabilities, networks and tools to participate in the benefits of the information economy;

  • ensuring the security and interoperability of Australia's information infrastructure, and support confidence in digital services;

  • developing Australia's innovation system as a platform for productivity growth and industry transformation; and

  • raising Australian public sector productivity, collaboration and accessibility through the effective use of information, knowledge and information and communications technology (ICT).

Sixteen related strategies in key areas draw together the Howard Government's activities as part of a national collaboration between governments of all levels, business and communities.

The new Strategic Framework builds on Australia's world-leading position in the uptake of e-Government, ensuring the ongoing and effective delivery of public sector services and information across all tiers of government.

And it will guide Government agencies and others in dealing with challenges posed by the global information economy in areas including the security of information infrastructure, control of spam, proof of identity in networked transactions, protection of privacy and intellectual property, regulation of illegal and restricted content, access to broadband, ICT literacy and industry development.

Details of the framework are available from the Information Economy page at www.dcita.gov.au.




Media Contact: Jane Seaborn (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373