By Tim Richards, from gamenews.com.au.
The Federal Government House of Representatives' Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts will run an "Inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia's film, animation, special effects and electronic games industries". Amongst other things, an Inquiry is a fact finding event aimed at gaining opinion and evidence from people, companies, and stakeholder within and without the relevant industries.
While the inquiry will look at a number of industries, this is a great opportunity for the game industry, and those affected by the success of the industry, to put forward constructive information and ideas to inform government. Submissions will normally be made public on a Government website, and people interested in making a submission must keep in mind what the Inquiry is actually looking at. You can find out what the Inquiry is actually looking at by reading about the Terms of reference of the Inquiry (here).
In my view this is a sign that the Federal government knows that it doesn't know enough about the game industry. And I believe that it is important for all concerned about the game industry to make a submission, even if it is short submission. Submissions will be received up until 30 May 2003.
To encourage Australians to make a submission GameNews.com.au (editor Tim Richards) will happily review and provide feedback on any draft written submissions that gamers and stakeholders in the game industry make wish to submit to the Inquiry. To take up or discuss this just contact Tim at info@gamenews.com.au