The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has criticised the composition of the Federal Government's steering committee to implement the development of Australia's ICT framework, claiming it is too representative of big business.
The ICT framework initiative, which was announced at the recent IT World Congress in Adelaide, will identify industry drivers for the next decade, assess Australia's global positioning and make recommendations on how to improve the sector through joint strategies between business and government.
The framework will be completed by the end of 2002 and steering committee members include Ericsson AsiaPacific Lab managing director Ric Clark, Australian Information Industry Association chairman John Gwyther and KAZ Computer Services managing director Peter Kazacos.
ACS national president Richard Hogg welcomed the framework, but said it is too focused on vendor organisations.
"We are encouraged to see high profile representatives from the research community and a leading academic representing the interests of the university sector, but question whether they are enough to balance the agendas of big business," he said.
The committee, Hogg said, is making the same mistake as previous Government initiatives by favouring "the big end of town".
IT opposition spokesperson Senator Kate Lundy welcomed the move, claiming there will be "some informed opinion at last" to tap into the potential of Australia's ICT sector.
Lundy said IT Minister Senator Alston has basically thrown his hands in the air saying 'somebody tell me what to do'.