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Senator Kate Lundy (centre right) is pictured with (left to right) Fe... |
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Senator Lundy is pictured with ICTI board member Geoff McQueen and Jo... |
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Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr duri... |
Wollongong hosts forum on ICT and creative industries
Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy visited Wollongong on Friday to host a national forum on technology and creative industries.
UOW and local information and communication technology cluster ICT Illawarra (ICTI) helped host the latest Public Sphere Camp, along with ICT research organisation NICTA.
This was the third in a series of public events designed to give the public the chance to discuss topical issues and help form public policy. Two previous Public Sphere events in Canberra focused on high bandwidth in Australia and on Government 2.0 policy and practices, and the Wollongong event looked at ICT and creative industries like gaming, film and digital arts.
Wollongong was connected all day to simultaneous virtual events in Melbourne and Brisbane, and technology such as webcasts, Twitter and liveblogging meant unlimited numbers of people could participate, regardless of their location.
Senator Lundy said that, through the use of new technology tools, the Public Sphere events are experiments in public conversation.
“The Public Sphere initiative is about experimenting with online technologies and methodologies to improve democracy, and give everyone the chance to have input into public policy,” Senator Lundy said.
The outcomes from the Public Sphere event will be passed on to Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr and the ICT Innovation Council to inform new policy.
Minister Carr joined the discussion on the day through a video link, and Federal Member for the Illawarra Sharon Bird spoke at the event. Also speaking at the forum UOW Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Joe Chicharo said he was delighted to have the public sphere held at UOW.
“We have been a big player in the ICT sector for a long time, and a pioneer in terms for teaching and research,” he said. “The Innovation Campus embodies our innovation in that area, and in the creative industries.”
The Federal Government’s plan for a National Broadband Network (NBN) has increased the focus on ICT issues. UOW’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton said the University’s knowledge in the area of ICT would be especially important in the roll out of the NBN.
“Rural, remote and regional areas will benefit from this initiative,” he said. “UOW’s strength in ICT will ensure that it is a major player in the regional uses and impacts on small businesses in such areas.”
“The University congratulates Senator Lundy on this initiative.”