[LINK] Australian no-show at CeBIT

[Ash Nallawalla]

> From: Jan Whitaker

>
http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/opinion/perspectives/backwards-from
-the-backwater/2009/02/16/1234632734542.html

> a rant about the lack of IT industry policy in Australia.

"Rant" is the right term for this meandering article. IT policy, no-shows at
CeBIT Hannover, broadband, Labor's no better than the Libs, etc.

"There was no mention of IT in last year's 2020 Summit." I wasn't there, but
this extract from the Final Report says: "We need to ensure that teachers
develop core competencies in creative thinking, communication skills and ICT
skills and can push the boundaries of professional teaching practices." And
"The way we define jobs and work is rapidly evolving. The capability debate
will become increasingly critical as technology, especially ICT, becomes
more embedded in workplaces. Those who are not IT literate will be
disenfranchised in the future." (Ironically, that bullet point was repeated
twice in error)

http://www.australia2020.gov.au/docs/final_report/2020_summit_report_1_produ
ctivity.pdf

So there are no Aussie companies at CeBIT this year? Could be that they are
nervous about the economy or are already in strife. It is also entirely
possible that nobody in Australia has a killer product this year - just
because we are Australian does not mean we are obliged to outsmart smaller
countries every year (by exhibiting at CeBIT).  Is it no longer possible to
"succeed" without spending a high 5-figure sum for a booth, killing yourself
over five days at the said booth and sleeping in a cramped, private home in
a warm bed just vacated by someone who works night shift? Even the Austrade
subsidy doesn't go very far.

Does anyone believe that a "lack of IT policy" is the reason why we don't
have world-beating IT innovations? Any Aussie with a gifted mind will go
overseas if that's the best option and it's usually because the markets and
funding are in the Northern hemisphere.

I venture that our recent IT shortcomings are largely owing to fewer Aussie
kids taking up computer science degrees because IT jobs are going to Asia.
No amount of IT policy will change this. Protectionism ended many years ago
and individual business leaders are happy to cut costs, even it means laying
off their local IT workers.

"The show will open its gates to its usual half-million visitors and five
thousand-plus exhibitors" - let's wait and see.  CES was smaller this year,
owing to the economic woes, so CeBIT may feel a similar pinch.

- Ash