Technology urged on Australia

Press, 6 August 1980, Page 9

Technology urged on Australia

NZPA Sydney A major report has been made to the Federal Government on the impact of technological change in Australia.

It takes a strong pro-tech-nology line but also examines the necessity for changes in education and the union movement, and benefit provisions for displaced workers if the technological revolution is to take effect.

The Myers report is expected to create divisive debate, especially as its protechnology stance runs up against the submissions of the union movement which predict almost two million Australian jobs lost to computers by 1984.

It is the result of a 20month committee of inquiry set up by the Federal. Government in December, 1978, to examine, a..? make recommendations on the process of technological change with the aim of maximising economic, social and other benefits and minimising the adverse consequences.

The report urged that Australia push ahead with technologic.' change to remain competitive, but emphasised that most of the existing provisions for eas-

ing in such'change were inadequate. ,i

On the crucial job front the report did not estimate the number of jobs that would disappear. Many overseas experts met by the committee believe that accurate predictions of the employment effect of technological change cannot be, made,'"it said.

It said the argument was not whether jobs would disappear, which was conceded, but how many and what kind.

In the long term there would-be an increase in the number of skilled jobs and a decrease in the number of unskilled opportunities. The Myers report also gave a detailed plan for those who would be put out of work through, technology. It said an employees’ perception of what would be received after retrenchment could greatly affect their attitudes to technological change. Early notice should be given to allow people time to adjust and find new jobs, and information should be supplied on alternative opportunities.

Temporary benefits should be , provided • by- employers after the job was, lost, and relocation and training assistance should ,be given while .still in employment, with time off work to find new jobs. It said financial compensation for job loss should be based on age and years of service, and it would be best if standard compensation provisions were written into all awards.

On education, the report said the long-term ability of Australians to lessen the adverse . effects of technology was crucially dependent on education.

It said the committee, was aware of poor standards of literacy and numeracy among school leavers.. In particular the committee is concerned about the apparent lack of .mathematical training of new primary school teachers. The trend away from mathc.natic'’ end physical sciences is also ■of concern in relation to the number and standard of students seeking tertiary education and professional courses of direct relevance to technological change,” it said.