The Morrison Government is investing $1.2 billion in Australia’s digital future through the Digital Economy Strategy, as part of this year’s federal budget.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert, who is also the minister responsible for whole-of-government data and digital policy, said the Morrison Government’s Digital Economy Strategy was an investment in delivering better government services today and securing Australia’s workforce of tomorrow.
To offer effective services and support, the Morrison Government is investing $200.1 million to enhance myGov. This is about making it easier than ever for Australians to find the government services they need online, including services to help them secure jobs.
‘Today’s announcement is a significant investment in our jobs-led recovery,’ Minister Robert said.
‘The Morrison Government is investing in Australia’s digital future to ensure Australian people and businesses can focus on growth and prosperity and interact with government in a way that is simple, helpful, respectful and transparent.
‘Supported by Digital Identity, myGov will evolve to become the digital front door for dealing with the Australian Government, with services and support organised around people’s needs, as opposed to government structures.’
Australia’s future as a modern and leading digital economy by 2030 is reliant on the skills and ingenuity of Australian people, so the Morrison Government will invest over $100 million to support digital skills for Australians, including a new pilot program for work-based digital cadetships that offer a flexible way for workers to build digital skills, investments in the cyber workforce and scholarships for emerging technology graduates.
‘We are going to cement our economic recovery and secure our future prosperity through developing our greatest resource, the Australian people, and keeping Australians working,’ Mr Robert said.
‘This will stimulate the next generations of entrepreneurs and successful digitally-enabled businesses and provide the foundations for Australian-grown digital innovation, prosperity and growth.’
To accelerate the business benefits of digital adoption across small and family businesses, the Government will invest a further $12.7 million to expand the Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Service.
The Morrison Government will also develop Australia’s first Data Strategy to enable businesses, people and the government to harness the benefits of data.
