Do you have ideas about how the government, the private sector and the community can work together to boost the digital skills and confidence of all Australians? Have you seen any great examples of community programmes improving people’s confidence and digital capability? Or maybe you are interested in the role of regulation when it comes to doing business in the digital economy? If so, the Australian Government’s Digital Economy Strategy consultation will give you a chance to share your view.

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is using Dialogue for the first time to help develop the Digital Economy Strategy. Dialogue is an open, interactive and respectful forum for the sharing of ideas, feedback and general discussion focused on Australia’s digital future. It’s just one of the ways you can have your say

The consultation is open to everyone until 30 November 2017 and is an important part of the strategy’s development. When it is launched in 2018, the Digital Economy Strategy will focus on ways the government can play a role in enabling business and the community to seize the benefits of digital transformation and secure Australian jobs into the future.

The term ‘digital economy’ describes the range of economic and social activities that are enabled by information and communications technologies. It includes activities like banking, buying and selling, and accessing education or entertainment using the internet and connected devices.

The digital economy is not separate to the economy. It impacts all industries and business types, and influences the way we interact with each other every day.

The shift we are currently undergoing, as rapid developments in technology change the way we live, work and the way we do business, is similar in scale to the social and economic shift that took place during previous industrial revolutions.

We need to make sure all Australians can take this journey. We know that there is a widening gap between digitally included and excluded Australians. Low income households, people aged over 65, and people with a disability are more likely to be digitally excluded.

We know digital technologies can also deliver social benefits by supporting social inclusion and helping us to address big challenges like the changing nature of work, protecting our environment, and looking after our ageing population.

Governments and the private sector already support important digital economy initiatives. However, unlike comparable countries, Australia lacks a cohesive strategy to maximise opportunities and address challenges presented by the digital economy.

That’s why the Australian Government is having an open conversation with businesses and the community now about the digital economy. We don’t have all the answers and we need your ideas to help develop the strategy.

Your responses will help us identify the key issues, challenges and opportunities, and to develop a way forward.

You can share your views by:

• joining in the online discussion at Dialogue
• making a submission through our Consultation Hub
• mailing your submission to:
  Digital Economy Strategy team
  Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
  GPO Box 2013, Canberra ACT 2601

To talk to us in more detail you can email us at [email protected]

We’re taking feedback on the Consultation Paper until 30 November 2017