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A tech leader has urged the Australian government to work with the technology industry or risk falling behind on productivity and cyber security.
The Australian public re-elected the Anthony Albanese Labor government at the polls on Saturday (3 May), handing the party a landslide victory over a comprehensively defeated Coalition.
However, while the party faithful are celebrating, one observer is hoping that Labor will use its new mandate to focus more on technology uplift and supporting Australia’s tech sector – particularly in the wake of a budget that was particularly light on the topic.
“The lack of focus on technology in the budget announcements was alarming, as it means we risk underinvestment at a critical time,” Alexandra Coates, CEO of IT services firm Interactive, told Cyber Daily.
“Australia is falling behind, especially in AI. We need to level up quickly, and that requires industry-wide collaboration, not isolated efforts. Now more than ever, business and technology are inseparable. Tech isn’t just a cost – it’s the key to growth, competitiveness and innovation. Yet, we face uncertainty and rapid change. The question is: will Australia step up or fall further behind?”
Coates would like to see industry collaboration help drive shifts in policy and regulations in order to prevent industry progress from crawling backward at a time when the economy needs the sector the most.
“The notion of skills development is constantly evolving, but industry and government need to align on what this means, where we invest and who is responsible for driving the first stages of progress in this area,” Coates said.
“At a grassroots level, it’s no longer just coders we’re training, it’s also electrical engineers. In addition, it’s ensuring remote communities who are raising the next generations of skilled workers have access to the internet and phone reception. You can’t be what you can’t see, and this applies in particular to First Nations communities.”
As cyber threats to Australia are led by both highly proficient criminal enterprises and nation-backed hackers and cyber spies, cyber security is another area where the government must take more action.
“Part of our job is to help customers understand their resiliency, readiness and response levels to cyber security threats,” Coates said.
“How poised are they to handle risks and incidents? In Australia, we’re laggards when it comes to cyber security. The incoming government has an opportunity to address cyber security as a pressing concern, as the current level of investment is far below what is needed.”
It’s not all doom and gloom, according to Coates, however, and the future of the Australian tech industry is potentially an exciting one.
“We have never been at a better moment to have business and technology combine powers and elevate our capability nationally, and I want our efforts to usher in a new era of progress. While our market is insulated geopolitically, the potential for national behavioural shifts to harness this intersection is real and present,” she said.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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