Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

This government promised a better future, yet its first budget bakes in rising costs of living and lower productivity growth. The long-term productivity growth assumption falls to 1.2 per cent, lowering real GDP by 1.75 per cent by 2032-33. A government serious about lifting productivity would drive reforms to grow Australia's digital economy, which is a key long-term driver of productivity. The coalition's Digital Economy Strategy had the goal of making Australia a top 10 data and digital economy by 2030. That strategy helped to support small businesses to go digital, to grow the digital workforce, to create homegrown tech startups and to build our digital infrastructure.

This government, by contrast, is failing. The role of minister for the digital economy, which existed under the coalition, has been erased under Labor. Minister Burke relentlessly attacks the gig economy at the behest of the unions. Labor is failing to take effective action to address the forecast employment shortfall of over 650,000 workers in the tech sector, instead imposing new union control on the industry. Supporting more women into tech roles is a key productivity measure, yet the budget abolished a $3.9 million program to support more women into tech mid-career. Tech Council of Australia chief Kate Pounder rightly labelled this a 'disappointment'. Under the Albanese govt, Australia's digital economy, innovation and potential to drive productivity and economic growth seem to be afterthoughts.

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