Aust Government IT Innovation Council members named

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 21 July 2009 07:07

IT Industry - Strategy

Senator Kim Carr, minister for innovation, industry, science and research, has named the 23 members of the Australian Government's Industry Innovation Council.

According to Carr, "Council members have been drawn from across the IT spectrum and include representatives of industry, suppliers, users, education, research, government and unions. The breadth and depth of experience on offer in the council will ensure that it delivers on its objective to champion innovation through the use of IT."

Carr added: "IT will be the principal means to deliver the economic and productivity growth needed to drive innovation across the entire economy. IT is critical to Australia's directly employing more than 400,000 Australians."

Council chair, John Grant, managing director of Data#3, said: "The Council will have a wide agenda to consider innovation within the IT industry itself plus the application of technology to create innovation across the broader economy. It will apply the Government's published innovation framework as it works closely with all stakeholders to execute this agenda."

Carr announced plans for the council - the fourth Industry Innovation Council established by the Rudd Government - and Grant's appointment on 5 May, saying it would champion IT-enabled innovation for economic, social and environmental benefits. "It will promote the IT sector in its own right and [act] as an enabler of innovation, productivity and sustainable development for the economy as a whole."

He added: "The council will mobilise talented industry, education and research representatives to advise the Government on innovation issues and will be a champion of IT innovation in the wider community. It will work closely across Government on issues of common interest to ensure we realise the benefits that will flow from Australia's new National Broadband Network."

The new members are:
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