WA govt slammed for IT apathy

Shadow Science and Innovation Minister Kate Doust criticised the Western Australian Government over the weekend for neglecting the state's IT projects and infrastructure.

As the government lauded the winners of the WA Information Technology and Telecommunications awards, Doust released a statement saying that the performance of the industry was in direct contrast to "serious" neglect by the current government.

She claimed that the current Science and Innovation Minister and State Treasurer, Troy Buswell, had cancelled projects and "does not care" about the science and innovations portfolio, turning it into a "part-time" concern.

"The State Broadband Network and Technology and Industry Advisory Council has been disbanded and the future of state government support for the Gin Gin Gravity Centre and Bentley Technology Precinct is uncertain," she said.

The WA Government had proposed the Bentley Technology Precinct technology park as Australia's silicon valley. The park's tenants include Australian IT company CSG and resources company BHP Billiton.

The WA Government was yet to respond at the time of publication.