There is rapid and sustained growth in the value and output from Victoria's computing, multimedia and communications industries, facilitated by high levels of growth in international investment, exports and jobs creation. Victoria's achievements and opportunities in multimedia and information technologies are communicated internationally so to position the state as a centre of excellence in the new global information economy by 2001. Whilst this strategy embraces a strong industry development flavour in its endeavour to create a more knowledge-based, networked information economy, the strategy recognises implicitly that this goal is not isolated from, and is in fact dependent upon the development of an information society . As noted in the previous section, the promotion of an informed and participative citizenry via online technologies must resolve questions of access, cost and ease of use. Whilst this information has always been freely available, as an Internet-based resource it now has a potentially wider and more convenient distribution.
Archived information is also available.
A citizen may now follow the progress of a Bill through Parliament, monitor its debate and votes and proceedings. The Victorian Government has announced its intention to make all Government services available through electronic means by the year 2001. Another avenue to promote community access and awareness is the library system. The Victorian Public Library system has traditionally provided free services to the Victorian community. Although these objectives are not specifically aimed at improving democratic participation, they either indirectly do so or have a neutral effect.