The Government of Queensland in Australia will pump-prime the state's ICT sector to the tune of A$18.5 million (US$14.1 million) over the next four years in an effort to bolster the local technology industry and boost exports.
Six months after Treasurer Peter Costello publicly reprimanded Telstra Corp. Ltd. for sending 400 IT jobs to India, Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts Daryl Williams has flatly ruled out the introduction of any curbs on IT offshoring.
Australian unions and the opposition Labor party have signalled their support for U.S.-style legislation that penalizes companies that engage in offshore outsourcing.
The upcoming New South Wales election on March 22 has prompted both the incumbent Labor Government and the opposition to indulge in yet another round of promises to boost the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.