Stephen Conroy, Australia’s Minister for all things Digital gave an interesting speech at Cebit AusInnovate Conference just now.

Senator Conroy’s point was that technology, especially world-class infrastructure like National Broadband Network enables innovation. Building the network properly will create the world-class infrastructure to enable Australia to ‘punch above weight.

Enabling Innovation

Innovation Cities (the 2thinknow program for measuring & delivering innovation in cities) is based on ideas, implemented (largely, infrastructure) and with market access. Created prior to Conroy’s election – Innovation Cities – explains how innovation can be created in Cities. One third of this model is Implementation. Primarily that’s infrastructure.

The Wholesale/ Retail split, as understood, and’ fibre to home’ both align exactly with how 2thinknow see an Australian evolving as an ‘Innovation Nation’. Broadly, my professional view, the correct roles need to be allocated to Government & Markets.

Which is interesting given the following discussion.

Tension: Markets vs Government.

Conroy’s speech lead into the panel discussion; Narelle Clark (CSIRO ICT) is making a good point about ‘regulation’ ‘not killing innovation’. CSIRO, head honcho, Dr David Skellern initially raised regulation.

It’s almost a Government vs. Markets discussion. The tension has already started.

Probably productive as innovation occurs in tension between ‘regulation’ and ‘markets’.

But Narelle’s concern, paraphrasing, is not ‘killing innovation’ by over-thinking the framework. And not ‘over-engineering’ the aspects that belong in markets. David Skelton’s concern is seems to be ensuring that regulation supports a long-term network, in a technical view.

It’s an interesting question. Check out more or comment with your observation on twitter. http://twitter.com/christopherhire

(I’m here live-blogging about Innovation at AusInnovate Conference at CeBIT, at Darling Harbour in Sydney. )