Politics

It's a Wired, Wired World

Labor's federal IT spokeswoman Kate Lundy looks at some of the challenges for politics in the information economy.

	Labor Opposition IT Spokesperson Kate Lundy

There is so much to say about the changing nature of our world with phrases like digital convergence, the information economy and the age of learning each seeking to express the magnitude of the transformation we are experiencing.

What are the motivators for such change? The concept of technological determinism features strongly in my policy considerations. I ask to what extent are governments capable of being effective agents of change in a world where the pace of technical and scientific innovation has become exponential? Far from viewing the role of the nation state in the globalised economy as being weakened, I have been inspired by the words of Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye. In a recent article titled 'Power and Interdependence in the Information Age' they assert that 'politics will affect the information revolution as much as vice versa'. They argue that far from the conventional wisdom that the information revolution will have a levelling effect: 'some aspects of the information revolution help the small, but some help the already large and powerful.'

To ensure that Australia has equitable access to the social, cultural and economic benefits available to our citizens through the information revolution, then policy makers in Australia would be wise to keep this thought at the forefront of their considerations.

In saying this, I am making a series of assumptions that I should share with you because they are not necessarily representative of all political parties. The first assumption is that Government accepts social responsibility with respect to the people that elect them. Secondly, that this social responsibility leads the government to use the tools of economic, industry and cultural policy to improve the quality of life of the people they represent, and of future generations. Thirdly, that to be an effective agent of change, Government must act with credibility, accountability and in the interest of the public.

My motivation is simple and can expressed very plainly: social equity, sustainable future. To me, the information age brings with it a veritable universe of opportunity in pursuing these outcomes. The changes that are occurring in the information society are too radical and the implications to great for Governments to be complacent, expedient or shallow in their approach. Forward looking, comprehensive and cohesive policies are required to build the social and economic foundations of the twenty-first century. To neglect this challenge is to relegate this country to a digital ghetto in the next millennium.

There are five critical elements:

ACCESS

The importance of ensuring our society is not divided into information haves and have nots must necessarily shape our policies relating to access to affordable bandwidth, the ultimate enabler. Access is the key to participation.

PARTICIPATION

Opportunities in education are essential if everyone is to exercise their right to participate in the information society. Achieving high levels of participation in the information society also puts Australia in the strongest position to take advantage of the known economic benefits of a highly educated and technologically proficient workforce. This means jobs for Australians.

HUMAN RESOURCE

The information age invites economic recognition of the value of our human resource. It codifies this human capital into intellectual property, or IP. The key to harnessing the economic clout behind human capital is a system that recognises and manages ownership of IP for the purposes of reward and distribution, particularly in the digital environment where traditional property and copyright rights have no relevancy.

CONTENT

Creativityis one of Australia's greatest strengths: we must foster the production of digital content and software. For the first time, the internet demolishes the geographical trade barrier that has existed for physical exports and allows Australia access to a global market in digital products and services: the mega-commodities of the information economy.

GROWTH

If the Australian IT industry is to grow, we must utilise all our strengths whilst removing barriers to growth. How this industry develops and grows in Australia is critical to our future economic health. The imperative is a ballooning IT&T trade deficit. This indicator alone demands a political response in the form of policies designed to grow the Australian IT industry. Other industries too, are directly affected. Information technology enables our services sector, which represents 84% (ABS) of the Australian economy, to be efficient, innovative and competitive.

A Global Perspective

So far I have focussed my comments on Australia. However, as with all matters regarding 'what comes next', it is impossible and unwise to approach in a purely parochial manner. In leading up to my conclusion, I would like to have take on a more global perspective.

In the recently released Human Development Report 1998, published for the United Nations Development Program, global consumption trends including information technology usage are cross referenced with human development indicators for each nation. In the 'Action Agenda' for creating sustainable futures, pragmatic recommendations to address the entrenched inequities on a global scale are proffered:

"Privately produced public goods, such as technological innovations, need support from the state plus dynamism in the private sector to ensure that "poor people's technology" and environmentally friendly technology are produced and marketed."

It is the intelligent application of technology that can facilitate the de-linking of economic growth with finite natural resources.

I will conclude by completing the quote from Mr Naidoo at the OECD Ministerial Forum:

"So as we discuss this momentous advance of our civilisation and the emergence of a digital world economy, let us consider that this connectivity is, in fact, the greatest equaliser in the world.

But in this very world that we live in, half of humanity has never used a telephone. Yet, that access could catapult, could leapfrog the remotest rural community of this world into the leading edge of this new economy."

It is the potential for equity and a sustainable future that exists within technological progression that must be harnessed by political leaders. This is the challenge for the new millennium.

Kate will chat live with Workers Online this Tuesday at 7pm in the yap chatroom. Click below to get there

   GO TO THE YAP CHATROOM

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 25 contents

»	Unions Embrace Open Shop
»	Council Sets Benchmarks for Vizard Deal
»	Steggles Treats Workers Like Chooks
»	Rail Workers on Collision Course with Carr
»	Reith Shamed Into Talk On Entitlement Fund
»	Unionists Asked to Defer NRMA Vote
»	Fire Fighters Use Net
»	Crew of Convenience Behind Sydney Oil Spill?
»	Sixty Junkets Join Currawong Hit Squad
»	Workers Table Petition for Gay Reform
»	Indonesian Trade Union Leaders to Visit Australia
»	International And Community Groups Oppose Reith�s Bill

»	Guest Report
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Piers Watch

»	Country Labor Asks Question
»	The Ombudsman Replies
»	Confessions of a German Call Centre Agent
»	WorkCover Off the Track

Notice Board
- Check out the latest events

Latest Issue

View entire latest issue
- print all of the articles!

Previous Issues

Subject index

Search all issues

© 1999-2000 Labor Council of NSW

LaborNET is a resource for the labour movement provided by the Labor Council of NSW

[ Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Credits ]

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW