Intel managing director, A/NZ, Kate Burleigh, has backed communications minister Malcolm Turnbull, as Australia's "digital champion" in cabinet following a list of sweeping recommendations from the National Commission of Audit.
The audit, a report commissioned by Treasurer, Joe Hockey, and finance minister, Mathias Cormann, made a series of recommendations which, if adopted by the federal government, would have a major impact on on the ICT sector.
These include the long-term sale of the NBN, the abolition of Innovation Investment Fund and the ditching of Commercialisation Australia and the Export Market Development Grants scheme in a bid to reduce the $9 billion it spends each year in research and development.
The report also devotes and entire section to the use of big data and made several recommendations with regard to ICT procurement, Cloud computing and updating legacy systems.
It also mooted the appointment of a chief digital officer and the naming of a senior minister to act as a "digital champion" following similar moves in the UK.
Burleigh said Intel "absolutely" supported the Commission of Audit’s recommendation to move to a more efficient, modern, smart government through digital technology.
"The idea of appointing a digital champion in Cabinet like Malcolm Turnbull, who understands the benefits of e-government, as well as a chief digital officer in Government will be pivotal to the success of such reforms," she said.
"Shifting purposefully to embrace innovation in cloud computing and data analytics and adopting a digital-first policy within government is one of the most straightforward ways to save money.
"It’s also one of the recommendations most likely to be supported by the majority of Australians."
Burleigh said the digital revolution was sweeping the world which meant governments could develop new and exciting opportunities to better deliver services.
"The idea that you need to interact with a government agency between the hours of 9 to 5 is completely outdated," she said.
"People want to access services quickly, efficiently and at a time that suits them.
"Countries such as the UK and Denmark are leading the way; and doing so can reportedly cut costs by up to one fiftieth of the current cost."
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