Budget week brought a storm of unexpected expenses, but a shortage of innovative solutions.

Federal Budget 2025: A Big Tech-Shaped Hole

The Morrison Government's 2025 Federal Budget has been met with widespread criticism from experts and tech industry leaders, who claim the budget has a significant "hole" when it comes to addressing the country's growing digital divide.

The budget, which was released yesterday, has been touted as a "back to basics" approach, with a focus on traditional infrastructure spending and tax cuts. However, critics argue that the lack of investment in digital infrastructure and skills training is a major oversight.

"This budget is a missed opportunity to address the growing digital divide in Australia," said digital economy expert, Dr. Rachel Bolstad. "We're seeing a significant gap between those who have access to high-speed internet and those who don't, and this budget does nothing to address that issue."

The Australian Digital Alliance, a group representing the country's tech industry, has also expressed concern over the budget's lack of investment in digital infrastructure. "We're seeing a significant shortage of skilled workers in the tech sector, and this budget does nothing to address that issue," said Alliance CEO, Chris Chamberlain. "It's a big hole in the budget, and it's a big hole in our country's future."

The budget does include some measures aimed at boosting the tech sector, including a $50 million investment in the country's cybersecurity industry and a $20 million fund to support startups. However, these measures have been widely seen as insufficient to address the country's growing digital divide.

The opposition has also criticized the budget, claiming it fails to address the country's growing economic inequality. "This budget is a missed opportunity to address the growing gap between the haves and the have-nots," said opposition leader, Anthony Albanese. "It's a budget that fails to invest in the future of our country, and it's a budget that fails to address the growing digital divide."

As the budget is set to be debated in parliament, experts are warning that the lack of investment in digital infrastructure and skills training could have long-term consequences for the country's economy and society. "This budget is a missed opportunity to address the growing digital divide," said Dr. Bolstad. "We're seeing a significant gap between those who have access to high-speed internet and those who don't, and this budget does nothing to address that issue."