Jenny Ware (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in favour of this motion brought by the honourable member for Bradfield, who has been a passionate advocate for advancing and supporting Australia's digital economy for a long period of time. Our digital economy is now an integral part of the lives of Australians, whether it be e-commerce, e-marketplaces, online education courses, streaming platforms, social media, videoconferencing, e-health or offering innovative work-from-home solutions. According to the ABS, Australia's digital activity accounted for $118 billion, or the 6.1 per cent of our economy's total value, in the financial year 2020- 2021. Therefore, the Albanese Labor government's failure to prioritise the digital economy is incomprehensible. This is now directly impacting the future prosperity of our country.

The digital economy is not just a passing trend; it is the foundation of our future economic landscape. It plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and creating new job and study opportunities for Australians. It is transforming age-old production sectors, from agriculture to law to health. Despite its undeniable significance, the government's policy approach to the digital economy has so far been woefully inadequate. It needs is a comprehensive digital economy strategy to guide us towards becoming a world-leading digital economy. Without a clear roadmap and concrete actions, Australia risks falling behind in the global race for digital supremacy. Moreover, the lack of sufficient funding allocated to advancing Australia's digital economy and lack of investment in digital infrastructure, research and development will limit our future ability to stay competitive and leverage the immense opportunities offered by digital economies. To make matters worse, the government's decision to abolish the role of the minister for the digital economy is regressive. This is a move that demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the importance of the digital landscape's significance and highlights the government's disregard for the potential benefits that can come from prioritising this vital sector.

Australians are renowned for our innovative spirit and inventiveness, as evident from our impressive contributions to the world in various fields. From the hills hoist to the black box flight recorder to wi-fi technology, the winged keel, Vegemite and the cochlear implant, our nation has consistently pushed the boundaries of human achievement. Australians have similarly embraced the digital revolution, whether as innovators, startups or users. We therefore need a government that will support this revolution and prioritise the digital economy. I particularly want to recognise the role played by many tech companies within my electorate of Hughes.

Therefore, I call upon the government to do three things. First, allocate sufficient funding to bolster Australia's digital economy. Without adequate investment, we risk stalling our progress and lagging behind other nations in this digital race. Second, the government needs to develop and implement a comprehensive digital economic strategy, a framework that outlines clear goals and actionable steps. This strategy must be forward-looking and ambitious, positioning us as leaders in the digital landscape. Third, we need a minister appointed that is directly responsible for the digital economy. This critical position is essential for coordinating efforts and ensuring that digital transformation remains at the forefront of government initiatives.

The government's lack of emphasis on the digital economy is a missed opportunity. Embracing the digital revolution is not just a matter of choice; it is a necessity for our nation's future growth and prosperity. It is time now for the government to step up and prioritise the digital economy to ensure a brighter and more innovative future for Australians. The coalition will be constructive here. We urge action and intelligent, constructive planning to support and bolster Australia's digital technologies.

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