Speaking at a debate hosted by the Australia Computer Society (ACS), the Liberal, Labor and Greens parties presented their policies on ICT prosperity, skills shortages, procurement policies and the potential for a dedicated ICT minister

NSW shadow minister for infrastructure, housing and commerce, Greg Pearce, said ICT policy should be driven by outcomes rather than cost, pointing to its plan to create a technology advisory board to represent the industry. "The government's policy is not designed to promote innovation and it's basically cost driven for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to get involved," Pearce said.

"There needs to be an overhaul of procurement policy, notably in tendering. Our approach is that government procurement must be driven by outcomes; we need to work with the industry to develop packages."

As part of the overhaul, Pearce said a technology advisory board will be established with representatives from industry to regularly meet with the minister to enable consistent dialogue between the private sector and government.

NSW minister for commerce, finance and industrial relations, John Della Bosca, said trading opportunities between government and business should be encouraged to bolster the ICT industry. Della Bosca admitted government agencies have been a "bit clumsy" in the past when it comes to the purchase of ICT equipment.