The Australian Government has released its next Intergenerational Report, which sets the vision for productivity growth up to 2050. The main themes in the report surround an ageing population and consequent pressures on health care along with associtated increases in health spending.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans this morning announced a reform of Australia’s skilled migration program. Changes on the whole will have little impact on the ICT industry, and can be seen as a positive development for the sector with larger business likely to particularly benefit.

"AIIA is concerned that the proposed changes to the R&D regime fail to recognise the pervasive and transformational nature of information and communications technologies across the entire economy. If the flow-on economic impact of innovation in the ICT sector is stifled by these proposed changes, the government’s objective to achieve a productivity lift to upwards of 2 percent is at risk."

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“Innovative software development will be essential to the creation of a vibrant digital economy; the proposed R&D tax amendments threaten the fundamental contribution that the ICT industry stands to deliver the Australian business community.”