"ICT forms the backbone on which Australian industry functions, facilitating productivity and cost efficiency across most Australian businesses. Recent studies have shown, ICT's contribution to GDP is now greater than that of agriculture, forestry and fishing, defense and education," he said.

"We are calling on the government to ensure we continue to leverage the contribution made by our ICT sector to the nation's overall economic welfare by ensuring ICT and the health of the ICT sector is treated as a national priority.

"We feel this will be achieved most efficiently via the creation of a long-term government and industry supported national ICT plan."