014/06
13 March 2006

‘Unlocking the Potential'—an Action Agenda for Australia 's digital content industry

Australia 's digital content industry has a vision to double its production over the next ten years.

To support that vision, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, today launched the Digital Content Industry Action Agenda Report, Unlocking the Potential.

“This report will help the industry direct its efforts to generate new opportunities to benefit the Australian economy,” Senator Coonan said. “New digital platforms and services are emerging and the rapid consumer adoption of broadband, wireless and digital broadcasting technologies provide exciting industry development opportunities.”

The Action Agenda has been developed by senior members of the digital content industry, in consultation with a wide range of industry members and stakeholders. It identifies strategies to be implemented by industry to make it a major contributor to the Australian economy.

Mr Macfarlane congratulated Mr Tom Kennedy, the Chair of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group, and all those involved with the development of the Action Agenda.

Australia 's digital content industry is estimated to employ 300,000 people and contribute $21 billion annually – almost 3.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product – to the economy.

The report is a blueprint for harnessing opportunities for growth within the digital content industry and is available online at:

www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/publications_and_reports/film_and_digital_content/unlocking_the_potential_digital_content_industry_action_agenda_report