Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) response to the Federal Budget

Media statement, 14 May, 2024 AEST

In response to the delivery of the Federal Budget, Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) Managing Director, Sunita Bose, said: 

“DIGI congratulates the Australian Government on the delivery of the Federal Budget, and the important funding commitments toward combatting online harms and scams and building safe and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) policy, which are among the top priorities for DIGI and its members.

“Maximising benefits and minimising the risks of technology across a vast digital ecosystem requires well-resourced regulators, and DIGI welcomes the announced increases in funding for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, the ACMA, the ACCC, and the OAIC. 

“Scammers manipulate multiple sectors simultaneously to defraud Australians, and we welcome the funding across Government to ensure improved responses cross-sectorally to complement the important work being undertaken by the National Anti-Scam Centre. DIGI welcomes industry codes in key sectors to help lift accountability in relation to scams across key sectors, and we will continue to work with the Government on clear digital industry obligations that will drive better outcomes for Australians.

“Children should not be exposed to age-inappropriate content, and well-scoped explorations of age assurance technology could provide insights for broader work to protect children online, including DIGI’s and other industry stakeholders’ work to develop mandatory industry-wide codes under the Online Safety Act. 

“DIGI welcomes the Government’s investment in industry analysis and the coordination of AI policy development to support the safe and responsible adoption and use of AI, which has the potential to create jobs, boost productivity, and increase prosperity and wellbeing for Australians. 

“DIGI looks forward to our continued work with the Australian Government in all of these areas, and to help efforts to realise many of these commitments into action.”

About DIGI

The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) is a non-profit industry association that advocates for the digital industry in Australia. DIGI is a key Government partner in efforts to address online harms, data and consumer protection online and to grow the digital economy, through code development, partnerships and advocacy for effective and implementable approaches to technology policy.

For media enquiries, please contact press@digi.org.au