AIIA welcomes Digital Capability Fund investment

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has welcomed news that the Western Australian Government will invest in digital services.

The Digital Strategy for the Western Australian Government 2021–2025 and the Digital Capability Fund provide a strong platform for the Western Australian Government to digitise its services, as is needed in a modern economy. The clear policy and goals allow industry to work with government to deliver services that will meet Western Australia’s needs.

The AIIA’s General Manager of Policy and Advisory, Simon Bush, said the funding will transform services.

“The funding announced by the McGowan government to digitise government services is great news for the people of Western Australia. The Digital Capability Fund can transform Western Australia’s government services, from simpler services to the public to improved telehealth services, and position the WA economy to withstand any future strong headwinds. Western Australia has the opportunity to become a national leader in digitising government services.

“Modern economies are built on strong digital platforms and it is pleasing to see WA putting planning measures in place to achieve this. The impact of innovative technologies continues to transform all sectors of the economy. Digital technologies are at the heart of all sectors from mining, manufacturing, agriculture to financial services. It is vital that governments across Australia invest in technologies to improve their digital services and support the wider economy,” he said.

AIIA WA Council Chair Sharon Brown said the funding commitment is a welcome result.

“We have been advocating for government to increase their digital services for some time and it is very pleasing to see WA’s Digital Capability Fund announced. We have a strong relationship with government and look forward to supporting the implementation of the policies announced in the Budget.

“We’ll continue to champion Western Australia’s innovative ICT sector to grow jobs in WA. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with government to promote the digitisation of services and infrastructure across WA to support a strong and modern economy,” she said.

Last week the AIIA released the white paper ‘Growing Globally Competitive Industries: Powered by Australia’s innovation technology’, calling for improved government digitisation and support in health, manufacturing and agriculture amongst sectors. At the heart of this, the AIIA recommends governments support a strong focus on developing a strong and highly skilled ICT workforce.

“To efficiently deliver the program planned by the McGowan government, a strong and skilled ICT workforce is needed,” Bush said. “Governments across the country need to support developing skills in ICT across all sectors. The highly transferable skills support a strong economy and ensure Australia is not reliant on other countries to deliver our services.”

The AIIA is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at fuelling Australia’s future social and economic prosperity through technology innovation and remains committed to working with all levels of government to secure Australia’s digital future.

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