Information technology innovation in Australia, a long-term perspective

Abstract

This report provides insights into lasting factors that have enhanced or impeded innovations in information and communication technologies (ICT) in Australia over six decades. The study conceives of innovation as the entire process from conception of ideas to their commercial success in the market. The report summarises observations from 42 outstanding individuals in the Australian ICT sector, each admitted into the Pearcey Hall of Fame. The Pearcey Foundation’s Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding life-time contribution to ICT in Australia in business, research, the media and government. The study analyses key aspects collectively recognized by this outstanding group of individuals. It provides insights on factors that shaped ICT innovations in Australia, positive as well as negative, from the 1950s to the 2020s. Key insights into long-term strategies for a future-looking agenda supporting successful innovations in ICT in Australia are: • Insight 1 provides an overview of key stakeholders identified as important to the landscape underpinning ICT innovation in Australia. • Insight 2 presents a framework dissecting the interactions of four aspects important to the wider ecosystem underpinning ICT innovation in Australia: (1) education and basic research; (2) the development of novel ICT-based solutions to challenges in organisations and society; (3) the commercialisation of ideas into products and services; and (4) successful scaling up of Australian innovations in a national and global marketplace. • Insight 3 analyses how government initiatives including tax incentives, re-search funding, programs, and other support mechanisms are seen as being effective or limiting in providing lasting support for the Australian innovation ecosystem for ICT. • Insight 4 unpacks one aspect currently not sufficiently considered in policy: the role of government as customer supporting innovations in ICT in Australia. • Insight 5 analyses the different roles that varying levels of government have in supporting ICT innovations in Australia. Notably the federal government, state governments, as well as local government all play important but distinct roles in supporting ICT innovation in Australia, that future policy will need to take into consideration. • Insight 6 investigates in detail issues regarding the university-industry nexus, an area identified by numerous participants as requiring particular attention for strengthening ICT innovation in Australia.