Agriculture
The Agri-Tech Expert Working Group (AEWG) considered how connectivity and digital technology could enhance productivity and support opportunities for growth across the agricultural sector.
A project brief was released identifying AEWG's initial focus, key issues and strategic thinking.
In September 2021 the final Agri-Tech Expert Working Group report was released.
Members of the AEWG are:
| Co-Convenors | |
|---|---|
| Ms Andrea Koch | Principal, AgTech |
| Mr Peter Waters | Consultant, Gilbert + Tobin |
| Members | |
| Ms Nicole Curtis | CEO, Grower Group Alliance |
| Mr Leighton Wilksch | Director & AgTechnologist, Agbyte |
| Dr Michele Allan | Chair, Wine Australia |
| Mr Peter Thompson | Farmer, Echo Hills Farming Company |
| Mr Richard Heath | Executive Director, Australian Farm Institute |
| Ms Christine Mulhearn | Assistant Secretary, Innovation and Consumers Branch, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment |
Construction
The Australian Broadband Advisory Council (the Council) is advising the Australian Government about ways in which digital and broadband communications infrastructure can be used to lift the construction sector's economic output.
The Construction Expert Working Group (CEWG) is considering how to support the faster adoption of digital technologies across the construction sector in order to drive productivity growth, with a focus on regions and small-to-medium enterprises. Terms of Reference for the CEWG are available.
As part of its initial phase of the work, the CEWG, with assistance from EY, has undertaken a scoping study of the construction sector, to better understand the current state of play on Construction Tech, including identifying barriers to its use, and opportunities to drive take up further. The scoping study, published on 09 March 2022, identified four key challenges in the take up of Construction Tech.
- Workflow and value chain: the adoption of Construction Tech has often been piecemeal and tended to resolve specific issues experienced by firms/industry participants rather than creating integrated technology stacks or platforms.
- Technology adoption and gaps: there isn’t always strong awareness of how Construction Tech can be applied to deliver efficiencies both within a firm and across the supply chain more generally, and where the gaps are in technology adoption.
- Skills and training: participants in the construction industry often have limited exposure to technology during their education or on the job experiences, unless they pursue specific technology skill pathways.
- Investment and collaboration: in comparison to the size and relevance of the construction industry to the Australian economy, investment in technology is relatively low, and determining a strong business case for adoption of technology remains a challenge.
The CEWG is considering how to move forward with the areas for further investigation identified for each challenge and will provide further advice to the Council later in 2022.
Mr Craig Laslett is convenor of the CEWG. Mr Laslett is the Managing Director at Leed Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd, and has an extensive background in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of significant public and private infrastructure assets.
Mr Laslett has led a number of complex and diversified businesses spanning transport infrastructure, mining and resources, building and industrial sectors, including as the Managing Director of Leighton Contractors and CEO of Lendlease Engineering.
Members of the CEWG are:
| Member name | Position |
|---|---|
| Craig Laslett (Convenor) | Managing Director, Leed Engineering and Construction |
| Matthew Browne | Managing Partner, Black Nova Group |
| David Murray | Chief Executive Officer, Buildxact |
| Jon Davies | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Constructors Association |
| Rebecca Halliday | Director—Indigenous Services Group, Deloitte |
| Gareth O'Reilly | Zone President Pacific—General Management, Schneider Electric |
| Duncan Bryce | Head of Builders Solutions, Bunnings |
| Shane Graham | Executive General Manager, Humes Australia |
| Luke Belfield | Associate Victorian Chief Engineer, Office of Projects Victoria |
| Vlatka Varagic | Manager GIS ANZ, SMEC |
| Peter Colacino | Chief of Policy and Research, Infrastructure Australia |
Creative industry
The Australian Broadband Advisory Council (the Council) has established the Creative Industry Expert Working Group (CIEWG). In March 2022 its position paper on the Creative Industry was released.
The Creative Industry comprises a vibrant and growing set of sectors that blend innovation, advanced digital technologies, and a highly skilled and innovative workforce. The choice to focus on the industry was based on the explosive growth of streaming and immersive content, and the commercial potential of established and new capabilities within Australia to create it and participate in the global markets.
The CIEWG is led by Council members, Zareh Nalbandian and Vince Pizzica. Members include:
| Member name | Position |
|---|---|
| Ron Curry | Chief Executive Officer, Interactive Games & Entertainment Association |
| Tony Clark | Chief Executive Officer, Rising Sun Pictures |
| Kris Maric | Chief Executive Officer& Executive Producer, Fika Entertainment |
| Patrick Kidd OBE OAM | Chief Executive Officer, Digital Skills Agency |
| Darin Grant | CTO, Animal Logic |
| Rachel Healy | Chair, Creative Economy Taskforce |
| Cass O'Connor | Chair, Carriageworks |
| Katrina Sedgwick OAM | Chief Executive Officer and Director, Australian Centre for the Moving Image |
| Jennifer Ganske
|
Head of Arts and Tourism, NBN Co
|
The CIEWG is focusing on the following issues:
- adding value to the supply chain by investing in intellectual property
- addressing skills gap across the sector by building and attracting talent
- increasing the interaction of the Creative Industry with other sectors
- using digital clusters to access a broader workforce and new ideas.
Read the Growing Australia's Creative Industry Position Paper.
Read the CIEWG's Terms of Reference.
Health
The Health Expert Working Group (HEWG) examined the digital ecosystem across the health sector, with a specific focus on how connectivity, technology and data can support new models of care, including the accelerated use of telehealth during COVID-19.
In January 2022 the Health Expert Working Group report was released. Its recommendations include:
- integrating digital health within the current health ecosystem
- improving patient engagement with the health care system
- extending the reach of the health care system to regional/rural areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- improving digital skills for patients and health professionals.
Members of the HEWG are:
| Co-Convenors | |
|---|---|
| Adjunct Associate Professor Christine Giles | Strategic Health Policy Advisor |
| Mr Luke Baxby | National Healthcare Leader—Deloitte |
| Members | |
| Dr Dawn Casey | Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation |
| Professor Adam Elshaug | Professor in Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne |
| Dr Gabrielle O'Kane | Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Alliance |
| Ms Tania Rishniw | Deputy Secretary for Primary and Community Care, Department of Health |
| Professor Anthony Smith | Director, Centre for Online Health, University of Queensland |
| Mr Michael Walsh | Chair, Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre |
| Ms Leanne Wells | Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Health Forum of Australia |