The Federal Budget 2021-22: Technology wins
Technology goodies inside this year s Budget Credit: Victor Diola Jr Dreamstime
The 2021-22 Federal Budget has been released and it has a big technology focus, with the Government pledging nearly AU$1 billion as part of its Digital Economy Strategy. This funding includes spending for Artificial Intelligence (AI), the improvement of Australia’s digital connectivity, and for the development of digital skills for workers, to allow Australia to better compete with the rest of the world in key areas of the digital economy.
Boost to the Government’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan
To boost the development of AI in business and to break down barriers to the AI industry, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced $124.1 million in funding for AI as part of the Government’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan. Approximately $53.8 million of these funds will go towards setting up a National Artificial Intelligence Centre over the ne
Written by Kate McDonald on
12 May 2021.
The federal government is claiming it will “transform digital health in Australia” through $503 million worth of measures in the 2021-22 budget, including funds for My Health Record, the Healthcare Identifiers Service, electronic medication charts for aged care and the Health Products Portal.
The My Health Record system has received the lion’s share of funding, with $301.8 million allocated over two years to ongoing operations and enhancements. While details are scarce, the plans for the next two years appear to revolve around already announced initiatives such as the new API gateway and an aged care transfer document.