AIIA welcomes $920m Vic Govt ICT support

Stan Beer
Sunday, 04 June 2006 17:37

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Australian Information Industry Association is pleased there were so many ICT related initiatives in the 2006 Victorian State Budget.

Outgoing AIIA Chief Executive, Rob Durie said, “The Victorian Government has committed more than $920 million to ICT projects throughout Victoria.

“Some of these initiatives, such as the $430 million public transport ticketing solution will likely lead to new innovation from existing platforms such as smart cards.”

Mr Durie noted that the Victorian Budget was symptomatic of the role ICT plays in the lives of all Victorians.

“This Budget has ICT initiatives in health, education, transport, law and order and the environment, among others.

“Information and communications technology now underpins so many aspects of our lives.  As can be seen from this budget, it is an enabling industry which is delivering advances in many areas of the Victorian economy and community."

AIIA’s Victorian Branch Chair, Kee Wong, welcomed the Budget initiatives.

“I am particularly pleased with the government’s ongoing support of NICTA through the $15 million funding of the Victoria Research Laboratory.

“R&D and innovation are central to a vibrant and growing ICT industry.  VRL’s research into advanced communications technologies including fibre and wireless broadband put them among the world’s leaders in these fields.

“The Victorian government’s support of this and other ICT initiatives is an acknowledgement of the important role the ICT industry plays in Victoria,” Mr Wong said.