Mr HAWKER (2:10 PM) —My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister inform the House of the current state of play in Australia in relation to the information economy and, in particular, its value for country Australia?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I thank the member for Wannon for his ongoing interest in the way in which Australia has embraced information technology and the way in which, through the use of information technology, as distinct from the manufacture of those things that contribute to it, this country has been able to boost its economic performance and to lift its productivity.

Recently—in fact, a few hours ago—the National Office for the Information Economy released a survey called `The current state of play: June 2001'. That report revealed a number of interesting pieces of information that demonstrate that Australia is up there with the best in relation to the use of information and computer technology. It revealed, for example, that 65 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over have access to the Internet, placing Australia in sixth place out of the 20 developed countries and putting Australia, I understand, ahead of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan, and that almost seven million adults—that is, 50 per cent of Australians—had used the Internet in the year to November 2000. This was a staggering 61 per cent increase over a period of two years. The proportion of adults in regional and rural Australia who use the Internet has grown strongly from 25 per cent in November 1998 to 44 per cent only two years later in November 2000. The report found that there was strong growth in Internet usage across all age groups and across all income groups and that, as at June 2000, an estimated 56 per cent of employing businesses were connected to the Internet, and this was a staggering 93 per cent increase over a two-year period.

The report also cites Economist Intelligence Unit research which found that Australia was ranked second behind the United States in terms of providing an environment conducive for the development of e-business opportunities. The EIU determined that Australia's regulatory regime geared to e-business was a critical factor in its second place ranking out of 60 countries—second only to the United States in a ranking of 60 countries in the study. This is further evidence of how wrong it is of the Leader of the Opposition to talk down the knowledge base of the Australian economy. It reminds us yet again that the opposition leader, having failed to talk down the strength of the Australian economy, has now turned his negative rhetoric to the intelligence base and information base and the capacity and adaptability of the men and women of Australia in relation to information and computer technology. Just as he failed in relation to the economy generally, so he will fail in his latest attempt to talk down the achievements and the adaptability of the people of this country.

Mr SPEAKER —Before I recognise the member for Dickson, I point out to the House that at the beginning of question time I made reference to a sound evaluation program that is going on in the chamber. If members thought the microphones were remarkably well concealed, they are right. I am told the sound evaluation program commences tomorrow.