Information and Communication Technology

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for the Public Sector. Can the minister advise the house about recent developments in support of the growth of the information and communication technology industry in the state?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for the Public Sector) (15:02): It is hard to believe that it has been 27 years since the first handheld analog mobile phone came into commercial use—I believe that the Attorney-General may still be using one—and it has been just 25 years since the first permanent internet access became available to universities through Australia's academic and research network, known as AARNet. Again, I am not sure if the Attorney-General is quite up to date with that. These two events mark the beginning of what is now the modern ICT industry in this country.

Most of us now take for granted web-enabled smartphones that link to our mobile devices over the internet. These innovations have changed the way we do business, the way we interact socially and also the way we interact with government, and this government recognises that digital technology is critical to the way we modernise and transform our public services.

It is no longer sufficient simply to provide access to information through government websites. Websites now need to provide access to services and also the opportunity to provide feedback to the government through its various agencies. The government needs to be clear about its priorities with ICT for both service delivery and also to guide the ICT industry in this state.

Last night, I was pleased to attend the Australian Information Industry Association dinner, where the Premier announced the Digital By Default Declaration for South Australia. The event was full of positive energy and enthusiasm. The declaration commits the government to proactively transforming its services, including using digital technology. Government services will be designed to be more easily accessible for people and businesses in the community.

South Australians should be able to have access to government services when and where they want through the internet and on their smartphones, laptops, tablets and whatever is the next innovation in this rapidly shifting industry of technology. By March next year, the government plans to finalise a digital landscape report which will identify our capacity to transform government services. A digital report card will also be created so that the community and the industry can judge our progress. Public sector agencies will be expected to transition existing services and paper-based processes to digital platforms. Agencies will develop, in partnership with those affected, new services from a digital-by-default perspective.

They also need to ensure that those who do not use digital media, or only in a limited way, are not disadvantaged. This is very important to me and we must keep in mind that a government must be accessible to all. I am particularly interested in the segment of the population that uses technology but is not comfortable or confident, and I will be looking for ways to simplify our processes and communication methods for that segment.

The SPEAKER: Does the member for Goyder have another question?