Information is flying through cyberspace, instantly connecting people worldwide in a way they’ve never been connected before.

It’s an exciting and challenging time to be in the communications game, particularly when you’re in a fast-paced industry like ICT.

The value of ICT to the Australian economy was reaffirmed during AIIA’s recent submission to the Western Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into the State Government's Role in Developing and Promoting Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Western Australia.

The Association prepared a substantial submission to the Inquiry, with 18 different recommendations cutting across areas of identified need such as government procurement, local industry growth and skills development.

“AIIA welcomes the inquiry, and believe that the bipartisan view is particularly important,” says AIIA’s WA Branch Chair, Lou Martini.

A team of AIIA representatives, including Lou Martini, James McAdam, (AIIA’s General Manager of Strategy and Policy Services), Geoff Harben (Chair of AIIA’s WA Government Policy and Relations Committee) and Cheryl Robertson (Strategic Consultant for the WA Branch Government Policy and Relations Committee) attended the Inquiry.

“The WA Government has reinforced its support for the ICT industry in Western Australia, which it sees as a growing sector that should be nurtured,” Mr Martini explains.

The Parliamentary Committee commended AIIA on the quality of its submission and accepted an offer for AIIA to brief members of Parliament on the value of ICT as an enabler and contributor to the Australian economy.

“This is a great outcome and clearly consistent with two of our key objectives: to raise the profile of the ICT industry and for AIIA to be recognised as the peak industry body in Western Australia,” Mr Martini says.

ICT companies in WA earned more than $6.6 billion in 2004, with 1,800 specialist ICT companies directly employing 23,000 people. In addition, ICT is indirectly responsible for around 161,000 jobs in the state or about 17 per cent of the workforce.

“ICT has an enabling role in countless industries across the Australian economy, increasing exports, improving access to knowledge and services for the community, and building a better environment for living and working in Western Australia,” says Mr Martini. “AIIA will continue to push this message to government to ensure our industry continues to grow.”

What a difference a decade makes, suggested Intel’s Director for South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Philip Cronin, when he presented to a large AIIA crowd at Adelaide Town Hall on Wednesday 13 September.

Quoting Alan Kay’s famous remarks that “the best way to predict the future is to invent it,” Cronin shared his thoughts on the future possibilities of the PC and the changes that we can expect to enjoy in our everyday lives as a result of ICT. Read more

It’s been a busy few months for the Australian Computer Society (ACS), with a number of major initiatives coming to fruition... Read more

Want another way to identify good graduates… early? Read more

5 October: Sydney - AIIA ICT Corporate Golf Day 2006
11 October: Sydney - AIIA Evening Spotlight Session
13 October: Brisbane - AIIA Luncheon - New Shared Service Agency: what are the implications?
18 October: Melbourne - AIIA's Victorian Government Symposium


Read more

ICT Outlook Forum provides a showcase of the best in Australian ICT research and development. Read more

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