Australian Computer Society

Media Release

Internet, not sackings, to cut government costs says computer society president

19th May 1996, Canberra - Tom Worthington, President of the 16,000 member Australian Computer Society (ACS), is proposing to cut the cost of government administration, and at the same time boost Australian hi-tech exports, through use of the Internet.

Mr Worthington flies to Perth this week for meetings and workshops with senior politicians, the IT industry and academia.

On Friday afternoon he will meet with WA Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan, Minister for Trade and Commerce and Leader of National Party, to discuss information industry opportunities for Western Australia.

Mr Worthington will argue that Australia, as the fifth largest Internet nation in the world, is missing opportunities for export industry. He proposes that Government and Australian businesses scrap most paperwork and face-to-face meetings in the next few months and move into "cyberspace". He also argues that Australian cyber-expertise can be exported as hi-tech goods and services.

"Australia has a demonstrated lead over most of the world in our use of Internet technology," said Mr Worthington.

"We shouldn't squander the head start our researchers and IT experts have given us. Australian organisations can achieve the increases in efficiency they seek, but must learn to work differently. Governments can start by changing work practices, rather than just sacking staff."

On Thursday 23rd May, Mr. Worthington will address Information Studies students and staff at Curtin University of Technology on his experience as a senior IT officer with the Federal Government and as the Department of Defence's first Web Master.

On Friday morning he will give a workshop entitled "Serious Business on the Internet", demonstrating Internet based applications from major Australian companies and government agencies. He will explain how organisations are using the Internet as a strategic component of their business, and its wider implications for longer term planning.

On Friday evening Mr. Worthington will chair the Annual General Meeting of the ACS, followed by a talk to ACS WA members and guests on the topic, "Accessing the Networked Nation".

ENDS

Media Enquiries:

Tom Worthington, President, Australian Computer Society Inc, GPO Box 446, Canberra ACT 2601, Fax: +61 6 2496419, Email: tom.worthington@tomw.net.au or http://www.tomw.net.au
Caroline New, ACS Public Relations Consultant, Tel: +61 2 630 2108, Fax: +61 2 630 1685 Email: cnew@acslink.net.au

Events:

Networking the Nation, 12 noon, Thursday 23rd May
Serious Business on the Internet, 9:00am, Friday 24 May
Accessing the Networked Nation, 5:30pm, Friday 24 May

Details are on the Web at: http://www.tomw.net.au/twadd10.htm or contact ACS WA office: Tel: +61 9 470 4878 or Email: lena@acslink.net.au

About the ACS:

The Australian Computer Society is the professional association in Australia for those in the computing and information technology fields. It was established in 1966. The Society has over 16,000 members and on a per capita basis is one of the largest compute societies in the world.