Maximising the benefit of the digital economy

As outlined in the Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions report (July 2009), maximising the benefit of the digital economy requires action by governments, industry and the community as a whole. The government’s role is to fill a gap left by the market, to address social inequity, to protect the community, to assist markets to work fairly and efficiently and to address market failures.

Where a role for government action is identified, there are various forms that this action can take. Policy levers can include: regulatory changes; direct investment; the funding of trial projects to demonstrate a business case and evidence base to inform future activity by government or industry; education and information awareness campaigns; or, in relation to government services, trials to test parameters and identify areas for improvement and change.

The government recognises the importance of also working with state and territory governments and local councils to coordinate strategies to drive digital economy growth throughout the country. The approach that the government is taking draws on input from ongoing discussions over the past 18 months with state and territory governments and local councils.

The government has made the decision that direct investment in the NBN is required to provide the world-class infrastructure necessary to support Australia’s digital economy. The following initiatives represent initial measures the government is taking to enable effective use of the NBN. The government will closely monitor the implementation of these and progress against the goals outlined in this strategy. Further measures may be identified and implemented over the duration of the strategy.

To advance the Digital Economy Goals, the Government will undertake a number of initiatives. The Government recognises that, for Australia to become a leading digital economy by 2020, requires collaboration by government, industry and the community. The Government welcomes existing Industry Initiatives and invites industry, state and territory governments and local councils to identify other initiatives that contribute to the vision of Australia becoming a leading digital economy by 2020.