By Matthew Henry
CANBERRA: The federal government has released a plan to double Australia’s production of digital content for devices including mobile phones, media players, digital TV and digital radio over the next 10 years.
The federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Helen Coonan today released a report in conjunction with the digital content industry and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining Australia’s need for more digital content production.
Implementation of the report’s recommendations could lead to an increase in local content for digital devices such as digital music and video players, digital TVs and 3G mobile phones and is also expected to stimulate the overall Australian economy.
“This report will help the industry direct its efforts to generate new opportunities to benefit the Australian economy,” she said. “New digital platforms and services are emerging and the rapid consumer adoption of broadband, wireless and digital broadcasting technologies provide exciting industry development opportunities.”
According to the Chair of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group, Tom Kennedy, the digital content industry is the fastest growing sector globally, but industry growth in Australia is lagging behind the rest of the world.
Australia’s digital content industry is worth $21 billion annually – almost 3.5 per cent of GDP – and currently employs 300,000 people.
The report can be viewed online at http://www.dcita.gov.au/arts/film_digital/digital_content_industry_action_agenda/dciaa_report.