Australia - Government Policies - 1997-2002

Synopsis

Since winning government in 1995, the Federal Coalition Government has introduced a range of telecommunications and IT policies, most notably the privatisation of Telstra. This report charts the key policies introduced by the Liberal-National Coalition. The national budgets from May 1999 through to May 2003 are all addressed here, while highlights of key government IT&T policies from 1997-2002 are also presented. These highlights include the 2002 ICT Framework and Broadband Advisory Group, Privacy Act implications, and the 2000 National Innovation Summit. The 1998 election is also considered, and the associated privatisation of Telstra social bonus.