ICT framework for the future's steering committee

Leaders from across the ICT innovation spectrum will join with Senator Alston, Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts, in delivering a framework for the development of Australia's ICT sector over the next decade.

The framework for the future will be a shared stakeholder plan for Australia's ICT sector over the next decade. Jointly developed by the government, industry and the research and academic communities, a key focus of the framework will be on innovation as a key driver of long-term industry growth and a major determinant of global competitiveness.

The steering committee will guide the development of the framework, and advise Senator Alston on broader consultation to ensure all views are taken into account in the development of the framework. The key responsibilities for the steering committee are to coordinate the mapping of the current state of the ICT sector in Australia in a global context, and the foresighting of the major drivers of global technological change and underpinning success factors that will impact on the Australia ICT sector over the next decade.

A report will be prepared by the steering committee that makes recommendations to both government and industry on strategies/actions to enable Australia's ICT sector to take maximum advantage of future opportunities. The steering committee's first meeting will be held in April with the development of the framework to be completed by the end of 2002.