The audience of more than 850 people from the local ICT industry, government, media and broader community heard first hand Mr Trujillo's vision for Australia, which includes Telstra's recently-launched Next G™ network, Australia's fastest and largest mobile broadband network.

Mr Trujillo echoed the sentiments of AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon, who argued that the “real revolution is about to begin… ICT will literally transform every aspect of business, life and society.”

Speaking at the luncheon today in Brisbane, AIIA's Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon told the audience that the ICT revolution has just begun.

"There is strong evidence that the last 20 years was just the warm up as the tools that enable collaboration and connection were forged, sharpened and distributed," Ms Moon said.

"The real revolution is about to begin as the complementarities between the tools start to work together and flatten the playing field.  ICT will literally transform every aspect of business, life and society."

Australia needs to be at the forefront of innovation in this space, Ms Moon said, arguing that our society must focus on the production of ICT goods and services as well as the enabling aspects that ICT can deliver to other industries sectors such as health, security and the environment. 

AIIA recognises that functions which can be digitised or automated are most likely to be sent offshore, so building those skills which are valuable locally and less easy to replicate are crucial to underwrite economic prosperity for Australia, Ms Moon explained.

In 2007, AIIA will be investing in the ongoing task of ensuring our industry has the skills it needs for the future.

AIIA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Computer Society to jointly chair the Industry Leaders Group responsible for implementing Minister Coonan's Skills Foresighting Taskforce’s recommendations. These activities include enhancing the attractiveness of the ICT industry as career option for young Australians and developing a curriculum to ensure Australia has an ICT enabled workforce.

AIIA will also continue to raise the skills of ICT entrepreneurs, focus on growing the Australian ICT Industry by bringing SMEs together to collaborate, and work across our region to expand the opportunities for the Australian industry in our globalised world.

"Building and maintaining a world-class ICT workforce is necessary to meet the current and future needs of the economy. The ICT industry is currently worth 4.6 per cent of the nation’s GDP, and we must fight for our fair share of talent to ensure that Australia continues to enjoy strong productivity, economic and social benefits from ICT," Ms Moon concluded.

EDS’ Vice President of Applications Delivery for Australia & New Zealand and Asia, Scott Ayer, has been appointed Chairman of AIIA in South Australia.

On Friday, AIIA acknowledged that the new changes to the machinery of government in Victoria will elevate the status of the ICT industry across the whole of government.

Following the introduction of the Gateway Review Process by the Australian Government mid year, AIIA members have been asking about the process, particularly the potential impact on suppliers who do business with government.

The first of three changes to the Trade Practices Act has now been passed and will come into law early in the New Year.  Guest contributor, David Lieberman of David Lieberman and Associates, provides a brief summary of some of the key changes.