Hansard debates

Mr McGUIRE (Broadmeadows) — (13 042) My adjournment request is of the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade. What is the minister doing in the cyberspace for my constituents? What I am looking for is a response that covers the full span, from education to job opportunities, whether that is in cybersecurity or whether it is in creating cyber education clubs with schools. I am looking for a response on that going right across the sector, from lifelong learning to jobs.

In particular I would like to propose funding to build cyber clubs for the 13 schools in the Broadmeadows electorate as an extension of the global learning village model for lifelong learning. Cyber clubs would run alongside the Victorian curriculum where, for the first time this year, schools are introducing students to digital technologies vital for the future. Cyber clubs would also add to the Victorian government's groundbreaking science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education strategy, which is critical.

Such an initiative is important because the STEM skills gap will take too long to fill using traditional methods. Cyber clubs are a low-cost initiative Victoria could use to fast-track talent development. Director of cyber science and technology at Loyola Blakefield college in Baltimore, Maryland, Steve Morrill has successfully pioneered this concept, so we have proof of that. La Trobe and Deakin universities, along with some of Victoria's leading schools in STEM, hosted his recent masterclass workshops.

I am seeking seed funding as well to develop cyber clubs in Broadmeadows to add to the innovation that has earned Broadmeadows international recognition. Cyber clubs are not only important to provide skills for new jobs but to help compensate for the former one-term Victorian coalition government's decision to axe funding for the IdeasLab at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Broadmeadows — a collaboration between Microsoft, Intel and Cisco Systems, second in the world only to London.

This is the collaboration model. How do we actually build the jobs, as I said, from cybersecurity right through to education? I think that is absolutely in the public interest. I know that the minister is driving this agenda, and I am just seeking his support for my local community.