Paul Fletcher highlights urgent need for 'tech-friendly' government

Australia's Shadow Minister for Science, Arts, Government Services and the Digital Economy stressed the urgent need for a more "tech-friendly government" during a keynote address at the TechLeaders 2024 Press Conference over the weekend.

It came as Paul Fletcher highlighted the critical role that technology plays in improving the country's prosperity and quality of life, while also pointing out areas where the government needs to better support the tech industry.

Fletcher began his address by acknowledging the criticisms often levelled against technology, from online crime to the negative impacts of social media.

He cited the $27 million lost by Australians to text-based scams in 2023 and the prevalence of cyberbullying and online trolling, particularly among adolescents.

"Too many Australians are cyberbullied," he stressed, adding that "online trolling can be devastating to its victims."

However, Fletcher was quick to argue that while these criticisms are valid, they should not overshadow the benefits that technology brings. "You can recognise that the rise of technology has created new problems, and indeed you can do something about those problems, while at the same time believing technology is a net force for good," he said.

One of the key areas where Fletcher sees technology making a positive impact is in safety. He pointed to the use of digital technologies like the Internet of Things, sensors, and robotics to monitor threats and respond to natural disasters more effectively. He highlighted Australian companies such as Indecare Dynamics, which uses data from multiple monitoring sources to improve fire prediction and response, and Little Ripper, a drone developed for surf rescues.

"The risks that nature creates are not going to go away, but technology has given us much better ways to both predict danger and to respond once it arrives," Fletcher said.

Fletcher also discussed how technology has empowered consumers by providing more efficient and cost-effective ways to access goods and services. He mentioned the rise of internet platforms like realestate.com.au and SEEK, which have significantly reduced search costs for consumers. "The internet has greatly reduced search costs and allowed consumers in many markets to have near-perfect information," he explained.

In addition to these benefits, Fletcher expressed optimism about the future potential of digital technology in sectors like small business, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. He pointed out that many small businesses in Australia are still conducting their record-keeping manually, and that there is "a big prize available from greater digital take up" in these and other sectors.

However, Fletcher also criticised the current government's approach to technology, particularly in relation to workplace relations and government services.

He accused the Albanese government of being overly influenced by the union movement and of taking actions that have weakened Australia's digital capabilities. He pointed to the firing of over 1,000 specialist ICT contractors from Services Australia as an example - arguing that this has led to a "conscious management decision" to pause automation processes.

Fletcher also took aim at the government's handling of the gig economy, criticising former Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke for his stance on digital platforms like Uber. He argued that the government's new workplace rules have made it harder for these platforms to operate, despite the fact that "93% of [Uber's] workers want laws to preserve their flexibility."

Turning to the issue of digital infrastructure, Fletcher stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening Australia's physical networks, which underpin the digital economy.

He explained that many parts of the country's telecom network are fragile, with little or no redundancy, and warned that "if a network operator is not financially sustainable in all or some of its operations, the risk is that the network shrinks the footprint over which it operates."

Fletcher outlined several steps that he believes are necessary to secure the benefits of technology for Australia. These include stronger economic regulation of the tech sector, a focus on the sustainability of physical networks, and better coordination across government departments to improve the digital experience for citizens.

He argued that the Australian tech sector has the potential to drive prosperity and better lives for Australians, but only if the government is willing to support it.

"The remarkable growth we've seen in Australia's tech sector is only going to continue."