Conclusion

The task of transforming Australia's economy and society into a successful digital economy is a significant one that requires a long–term focus. This paper outlines areas for Government, industry and the community to work on to ensure that Australia is well on the path to a successful digital economy.

Government, industry and the community must approach the task recognising that this is a process which touches all aspects of our economy and society. Australia is not alone in realising the magnitude of this challenge. As the OECD has noted:

'ICT policies are now becoming less sector–specific and more a part of the mainstream economic policies that concern the economy and society as a whole…. OECD countries with long–term strategies for information societies typically emphasise the role of ICTs and the internet as key enablers of wider societal change'.¹⁰⁰

This Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper aligns with other important Government initiatives to enable Australia to become a more innovative nation with world–class infrastructure that supports smart, effective and rewarding use of technology throughout all aspects of our economy and society. This paper complements the Powering Ideas report which outlines an innovation agenda for the 21st Century. It provides the vision underlying the Government's existing commitments to establish a company to build the National Broadband Network and switching existing television services to digital–only.

The National Broadband Network, in particular, will allow Australia to become a global leader in terms of capacity and enjoy truly high speed carrier grade video, data and voice services. This will have significant implications for industry in terms of new services, applications and business models. To assist Australia's research community and commercial sector to fully map the applications and business models which will thrive in Australia's high–speed future, the Government will host a National Broadband Network: Realising the Vision forum before the end of 2009.

It is also important that industry and the public continue to provide feedback and suggestions for new ideas about how to progress the future of Australia's digital economy or additional case studies. For those with comments or suggestions, please forward them to DEFutureDirections@dbcde.gov.au or send to:

Assistant Secretary, Digital Economy and Convergence Branch
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2601

It is not our intention to publish any comments we receive. However, should we wish to do so, we will contact you to seek your permission.

With the initiatives outlined in this paper and through these ongoing discussions, the Australian Government is confident that, in keeping with the true spirit of the online world, we can continue to collaborate, discuss and engage in the most productive way possible to maximise the economic and social benefits of the digital economy for Australia.

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Key Government initiatives

The following table summarises the key initiatives being undertaken by the Australian Government to advance the digital economy and progress the areas identified in this paper. For more details about these and other initiatives, including those of industry, please refer to Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions–Final Report.

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Contact information

If you would like a copy of the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions—Final Report and/or the Snapshot, or any other information sent out to you, please call the Department on 02 6271 1000 between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm (Monday to Friday) or email DEFutureDirections@dbcde.gov.au.

The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions—Final Report and the Snapshot have been published in multiple formats including Rich Text Format (RTF), Portable Document Format (PDF), Open Document Format (ODF) and Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML).

Further information on the consultative process for the development of the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions—Final Report and the Snapshot is available from the Digital Economy section of this website.

[100] Organisation of Co-operation and Development, Information Technology Outlook, p. 335 (available at: www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_2649_33757_41892820_1_1_1_1,00.html; last accessed: 25 June 2009).

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