Aus Note 2: Australian Digital Economy: Future Directions

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Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions
On 14 July 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, released the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper. The paper outlines the key areas of focus for government, industry and the community to maximise the benefit of the digital economy for all Australians. The DBCDE project web site reports,

The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper was developed through a three-stage consultation process. First, the Department held a series of workshops that led to a forum chaired by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy in September 2008.

Second, a discussion about the digital economy was encouraged on the Digital Economy blog, which was open for two weeks from 8–24 December 2008. Third, the Department released a consultation draft paper and over 110 submissions were received.

The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper outlines:

• why the digital economy is important for Australia
• the current state of digital economy engagement in Australia and why current metrics point to a need for strategic action
• the elements of a successful digital economy
• the role for the Government in developing Australia's digital economy, and
• case studies of Australians who have successfully engaged with the digital economy from a diversity of industries including content, e-health, maps, banking, education, smart technology and citizen journalism.
  
  

Structure of the report
The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper is published in two versions:

• Snapshot (35 pages): this provides an overview of the key areas of focus for government, industry and the community and a summary of some of the case studies.
• Final report (104 pages): this provides more detailed discussion of government and industry initiatives and an in–depth look at 12 case studies which showcases examples of Australians successfully engaging with the digital economy.

• Snapshot (HTML)
• Snapshot (PDF, 1.2 mb)
• Snapshot (RTF, 2.4 mb)
• Snapshot (ODT, 2.4 mb)

• Final report (HTML)
• Final report (PDF, 1.3 mb)
• Final report - PART 1 (RTF, 2.8 mb) / Final report - PART 2 (RTF, 2.2 mb)
• Final report - PART 1 (ODT, 2.3 mb) / Final report - PART 2 (ODT, 2.4 mb)