INFORMATION ECONOMY

[Garry R. Ford]

Alston meets small business on information economy

The Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston,
today met representatives of Australia's small business community for
discussions on the sector's involvement in the new information economy.

The discussions focussed on the Information Policy Advisory Council
report A national policy framework for structural adjustment within
the new Commonwealth of Information, released by Senator Alston last
week.

'The IPAC report urges Australia to stake a significant claim in the new
global information economy by adopting a sense of urgency and a bold
and ambitious approach,' Senator Alston said.

'The Government sees an important role for small business in this
process - a view shared by the business representatives at today's
meeting.

There was universal recognition that expansion of the information and
online services industries presented many opportunities for small
business, and a clear belief that Australia should concentrate on
maximising its many advantages in this area.

'Today's meeting also stressed the importance of ensuring that all
businesses benefited from the information revolution regardless of size
or location.

'The input today from the small business sector was particularly
important, given IPAC's identification of information services as a
significant driver of future employment growth, and the small business
sector's existing role as a major job creator.'

The IPAC report, together with the recent Mortimer and Goldsworthy
reports presented to the Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, Mr
John Moore, will feed into the Government's policy deliberations.

Senator Alston said he had already met representatives of larger
corporations to discuss the IPAC report, and looked forward to future
meetings with representatives of cultural and social organisations.

The following organisations were represented at today's meeting:
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Council of Small Business
Organisations of Australia; Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry
Association; Internet Industry Association; National Farmers
Federation; Tourism Council of Australia; Australian Electrical and
Electronic Manufacturers Association; Australian Chamber of
Manufacturers; Australian Council of Businesswomen; Australian Small
Business Association; Australian Federation of Business and
Professional Women.

Contact:
Terry O'Connor, Minister's office 02 6277 7480 or 0419 636 879

C107/97
5 September 1997