Conroy: I’ll support an IT minister
- 20 August, 2010 10:13
- Comments 8
Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, has acknowledged industry concerns about the lack of an IT Minister and said he’d support its establishment.
Conroy was speaking at a WA Australian Computer Society event in Perth about the National Broadband Network when he made the comments in response to a journalist’s question.
He added to them in a one-on-one interview with ARN.
His support comes after ACS CEO, Bruce Lakin, gave the Government a ‘fail’ mark for its lack of coordination and care for the IT industry in Australia.
“Depending on exactly what kind of business you’re working in, you have to pick between anything up to six different ministers,” Conroy said. “I can understand the frustration there.
“But, ultimately, portfolio distribution is the Prime Minister’s prerogative,” he said. “If she came to me and said ‘what do you think of this idea?’ I’d say it’s a good idea.”
When asked if former shadow IT minister, Senator Kate Lundy, would be a suitable candidate Conroy said he would not push Gillard to appoint a new IT minister while emphasising her qualities.
“I work very closely with Kate,” he said. “Obviously, we have a difference of opinion on [mandatory filtering], but we work very closely together.
“Kate and I have known each other since she was 16 because we both grew up in the ACT, so I have a high regard for Kate’s abilities.”
Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.
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Comments
Chris
Has some one woken up to the fact theyre possible the single most hated man in Australia due to his attacks on Democracy, his computer illiteracy and his idea to implement censorship of Australias internet?
This man is not worthy of any position in parliament let alone communications minister.
You have angered hunders of thousands, if not millions of Australias Comrad Conroy, there will not be rest untill your career, your job and your legacy are all driven into the pavement and nothing remains.
Michael Hq
That's the most sensible thing ever to come out of his mouth. Now only if he'd step aside from Comms to give it to Lundy and we can be done with the biggest luddite since Richard Alston.
gnome
+1 to both above comments, though Alston wasn't the only god-bothering luddite over the last 20 years (sigh).
But odious as Conboy is, there probably needs to be more than just a change of face if we are to have any assurance that comms issues will be handled by people who actually understand what they are doing, rather than being bloody-minded imposers of some political faction.
Ben
The problem is they would still put some moron in who had no idea like Conroy anyway.
Anthony
I'd vote for any government with Kate Lundy as IT minister
Ocker
Chris: What drugs are you on that makes you think your uddled thoughts are everyone else's thoughts? Most hated? Get real.
Michael Hq: Like anyone in that job in thje last 15 years has tamed and repositioned Telstra and it's monopoly....? Calling the guy who brought the NBN a luddite is a bit of navel gazing mate...
Gnome, if it is all so bad for you then you may need a change of geography, as Australia is not going to change enough for you to be satisfied.
Ben: Looks like you consider everyone else except yourself a moron...?
Anthony: That would be Kate's opportunity, however she needs to establish herself with more than populist initiatives and an IT background to become a minister. She has genuine appeal, but needs to be more of a power person to progress.
Daniel
@Ocker
The ISP/IT Industry has supported Kate Lundy before, when Keven Rudd was no longer PM, and Gillard became PM, there were alot of expectations that she (Kate Lundy) would be Communications Minister.
jugs
I put conroy last in my vote!
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