The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia’s technology sector, welcomes the announcement of Prime Minister Albanese’s new cabinet, highlighting the opportunities for the technology sector to work with the refreshed ministerial team.
ACS Chief Executive Officer Josh Griggs said the society looked forward to continuing its productive relationship with the Albanese government to driving Australia’s digital economy.
“ACS looks forward to continuing our work with the Albanese government in helping Australia reap the opportunities from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and use technology to boost the nation’s productivity and well-being,” Griggs said.
“We’re particularly pleased with the reappointments of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, both of whom we’ve established excellent relationships with during the last Parliament.
“We’re also excited to have Tim Ayres becoming Industry and Innovation Minister to continue building Australia’s 21st century industry capabilities that was started by the previous Minister, Ed Husic,” he added.
“Ed was a strong, long-standing advocate for the nation’s tech sector and we hope to be supporting him in his future projects across the IT industry. We’re also pleased to see Anika Wells take the communications portfolio and the promotion of Andrew Charlton to Assistant Minister for Science and Technology. ACS will be working across all portfolios to ensure every Australian benefits from the 21st century digital economy.”
ACS President Helen McHugh also expressed her views on the new appointments.
“I’m delighted to see a mix of new and familiar faces in the line-up of the new Albanese Ministry and ACS are looking forward to continuing our engagement with leaders like the Assistant Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke,” she said.
“The addition of Anika Wells and Tim Ayres to the communications and the industry and innovation portfolios will see some new opportunities for the ICT sector along with the range of assistant ministers who we’re looking at working with on specific areas of the industry, finance and immigration portfolios.
“While I am pleased to see the strong team advocating technology in the new cabinet, I am saddened by the news of Ed Husic being dropped from the Federal Labor cabinet. Ed has been a great champion of this country’s tech industry, and I truly hope we’ll be working with him again in the future.”
