CQU's Dr Wal Taylor has called for the establishment of an Information Society Academy, during his keynote address to the Connecting Up conference in Adelaide this week.

Dr Taylor, who helped establish Rockhampton's COIN Internet Academy, said the Academy should be established to develop policy, undertake research and coordinate efforts in relation to the the societal use of Information technology.

He said Australia’s productivity was being adversely affected by the inability of average Australians to effectively make use of current and emerging information technology to access government services and help their daily lives.

"Current research from all around the world clearly demonstrates that the use of ICT is a social issue and that the ability to make effective use of it is the third essential life skill alongside literacy and numeracy for nations wishing to maintain economic and social advantage," Dr Taylor said.

"Most democracies are now finding that their existing government service structures are inadequate in providing people with the ability to ‘get online’ and are looking at new ways to address this important issue.

"For example the e-Envoy’s Office in the United Kingdom, an agency set up by Prime Minister Blair five years ago to report directly to cabinet, has found that government agencies have been slow to accept that e-government will fundamentally change the relationship between government and its citizens.

"The delivery of information to civil society constitutes a powerful public good and under delivery will affect people’s well being and social inclusion and a nation’s capacity to play a useful role in the information age.

"Global evaluation of national e-readiness showed that Australia was not yet addressing the new wave of transformation in the information age and the establishment of an Information Society Academy makes good sense for Australia.".

Dr Taylor said that, with more than 700 000 community-based organisations, almost 40 universities and many TAFE institutions across Australia, there was a substantial base to build a distributed academy which could address these issues. The conference was opened by Hon Daryl Williams, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

It was attended by more than 270 delegates from all Australian states and territories and was conducted by Community Information Strategies Australia (CISA) under its CommunIT program.

Dr Taylor’s attendance was supported by the Connecting Up conference.

Photo (left to right): Peter Huta, Manager Community Connectivity, Dept Communications (DCITA), Dr Wal Taylor, COIN/CQU, and Mr Doug Jacquier, CEO Community Information Strategy Australia (CISA) who organised the Connmecting up Conference.