Published on the 17/09/2013 | Written by Newsdesk
The first Abbott Ministry has been announced and is notable for the absence of science, innovation or IT ministers – although there is a strong line-up to lead the nation’s broadband initiative…
Tony Abbott, the prime minister elect of Australia, yesterday named his first Cabinet and ministry. While there are few surprises (apart from the fact that just one of 20 Cabinet positions went to a woman) the lack of a minister for science or innovation has raised a few eyebrows, especially given the incoming government’s stated ambition to deliver strong economic growth.
As expected Malcolm Turnbull has retained his portfolio, being named as the minister for communications, and will have a seat in Cabinet. Paul Fletcher meanwhile has been named parliamentary secretary to the minister for communications.
While the pair share largely congruent views on the National Broadband Network, and want to rein in the fibre to the home plan in favour of a cheaper and faster fibre to the node approach, they have been at odds recently with regard to a possible internet filter.
In the dying days of the election campaign Fletcher telegraphed a policy which would have required large internet service providers to provide an internet filter as the default option in home internet routers. Within hours Turnbull – at the time the shadow communications manager – contradicted Fletcher saying that this would in fact not be a policy under an Abbott Government despite Fletcher’s public statements.
The Australian Information Industry Association has welcomed the appointments and urged Turnbull and Fletcher to focus on delivering on the Coalition’s e-government and digital economy policy and the NBN review processes in their first 100 days in the job.
According to Kevin Noonan, Ovum’s public sector research director, the implications for Government IT spending or accountability of the new Coalition government are not clear as yet as the administrative arrangements for government agencies have yet to be announced. He said that if IT were to report to the current communications portfolio then it would be “in safe hands” given the “significant talent” and experience of Turnbull and Fletcher. He said the outcome was “less clear” if IT reported into finance.
Senator Mathias Cormann has secured the role as minister for finance; Joe Hockey will be sworn in as treasurer.
Administrative arrangements should be revealed within a fortnight of the new Government being sworn in.
