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opinion

IT policy evolves post-election

The Federal Election cliffhanger hinged on the National Broadband Network, but other IT policies are now coming into play, writes Josh Gliddon

A

ustralia waited on tenterhooks following the August Federal Election, wondering who would form government and which way the independents would jump.

It’s now history that while Bob Katter ended up plumping for the Liberals, Rob

Oakeshott and Tony Windsor went with Labor, allowing Julia Gillard to form a minority government.

However, it was the reasons why Oakeshott and Windsor went

We have this piece of legislation that Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull won’t pass in the parliament…

taxpayer dollars. In response to the Labor government likening the NBN to the Snowy River Scheme, Turnbull had this to say in an Internet post: “A joint Commonwealth and State Snowy River Committee was established to investigate the financial viability of the proposal.... The cost of the project was thoroughly analysed, as were the benefits to electricity generation and irrigation.”

Turnbull argued that whatever the economic or environmental impact of the Snowy Scheme may look like today, the infrastructure

with Labor that were, for those interested in technology, the most

project had been the subject of a “rigorous analysis” and public

illuminating part of the whole game. On that day on September

debate before construction was commenced.

7, Tony Windsor took the microphone ahead of Oakeshott. After

“So the question for Julia Gillard is this: if the Snowy Mountains

thanking both leaders, he got down to business. And the business

scheme is to be the benchmark for national infrastructure, why is

at hand was technology – in particular, the National Broadband

her so-called 21st century equivalent proceeding without any of the

Network (NBN).

analysis that preceded the Snowy scheme?” the post read.

“The issues that I thought were critical to this…was broadband.

That was enough for Stephen Conroy, the reappointed Minister

There’s an enormous opportunity for regional Australia to engage

for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, to

with the infrastructure of this century,” said Windsor.

come out swinging. Speaking on ABC News24, Conroy said

He continued: “My advisors in relation to the broadband

that “[Turnbull] came out and opposed, opposed, opposed. He

technology—and there are a number of them—suggest that you do

opposed legislation almost unilaterally—it doesn’t matter what it

it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre.”

was, he opposed it all when he became leader—and the same is

In one breath, he captured what had become (boat people aside) the most divisive issue of the entire campaign. The incumbent

happening again.”

“We have this piece of legislation that Tony Abbott and

Labor government promised to spend around $43 billion wiring the

Malcolm Turnbull won’t pass in the parliament and have stalled

nation with fibre.

for eight months.” Conroy was referring to telecommunications

The Opposition took exception to the dollars being spent, and in the final days of the campaign came back with a $6 billion counteroffer that threw a variety of existing technologies, including wireless and a fibre back-haul, into the mix.

Since then, the NBN has remained as divisive as ever. Liberal leader Tony Abbott appointed Malcolm Turnbull to the role of Shadow Communications Minister, with a specific remit to take the government to task on the NBN. A few short hours after winning the portfolio, Turnbull blasted the NBN scheme, saying that it would waste “tens of billions” of

8 | GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011

reform, and in particular the potential structural separation of Telstra.

He then veered back to the NBN, saying that “there will be a slower rollout, there will be a more expensive total cost of the build caused by Tony Abbott—we will have more overhead cabling because of Tony Abbott.”

The ABC’s Insiders program gave Turnbull the opportunity to shoot back, saying that he is “not seeking to wreck or destroy anything, nor demolish”.

“My objective is to get some real transparency and accountability

Government agencies should now license Public Sector Information (PSI) under Creative Commons —as the default licence type.

AGIMO gets a new master

on this. We need to have a more informed debate about it. We are talking about spending a really stupendous amount of money, and our job in the Opposition is to hold them to account for that,” he said. Turnbull said that the opposition’s broadband policy had not

Also in the wake of the election was the shift of ICT

changed post-election, but he also intimated that it would evolve

responsibilities via the Australian Government Information

over the ensuing three years, saying that it was only logical that

Management Office (AGIMO) from the portfolio of Minister Penny

it should do so. He was unable, however, to clarify how it would

Wong to that of Special Minister of State, Gary Gray. In the past,

change, or over what timeframe those changes would occur.

AGIMO has traditionally sat within the finance portfolio.

The move hasn’t stopped AGIMO from innovating. In early

Digital productivity

October, it announced through its blog that government agencies

One of the lesser-known technology policy developments following

should now license their Public Sector Information (PSI) under

the election also concerns Communications Minister, Stephen

Creative Commons BY licence as the default licence type and only

Conroy. In addition to his existing Broadband, Communications and

adopt more restrictive licences after a process of “due diligence and

the Digital Economy Ministry, Conroy was made Minister Assisting

on a case-by-case basis”.e-health also remains a key IT platform for

the PM on Digital Productivity.

the federal government following the kick off of its e-health policy

The move was generally well received, with industry figures

in July this year. On July 1, every Australian, along with Australian

applauding Conroy’s additional responsibilities. Speaking with

health service providers and clinicians, became eligible for a 16-digit

industry publication, Computerworld, the Australian Information

individual healthcare identifier number.

Industry Association’s Chief Executive, Ian Birks, said that the

The government had pre-committed $467 million to creating

appointment created opportunities for the key messages of ICT to be

personal electronic healthcare records for every Australian by

promulgated at the highest levels of government.

2012. The election did not change this commitment, which is

“We find it hard as an industry to engage with the Health

viewed by the industry as an inadequate figure to establish a full

Department, the Education Department or with energy agencies, so

service e-health system in Australia. It is, however, seen as a good

this minister and portfolio is a great opportunity to drive these issues

first step. The Liberals had said that they would kill off the $467

to the advantage of our industry,” he told the publication.

The Australian Computer Society’s Chief Executive, Bruce Lakin, was equally bullish about the additional responsibilities, saying that it would “firmly link ICT with productivity”.

Information technology funding also found itself in the crosshairs during the election campaign, with the Gillard government deciding to take the razor to the $1 billion ICT Investment Fund that was established in the wake of the Gershon Review. The government has promised to cut the fund by nearly half ($447.5 million) in a bid to return the budget to surplus within three years, a move that raised eyebrows in some quarters.

If the Snowy Mountains Scheme is to be the benchmark for national infrastructure, why is [the NBN] proceeding without any of the analysis that preceded the Snowy Scheme?

million commitment if they won office in a bid to return the budget to the black. With the re-election of the Labor party, e-health, which is overseen by the Department of Health and Ageing and implemented by the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), is likely to go ahead.

The NBN and e-health are intimately entwined, with electronic health applications, such as imaging and teleconsulting, seen as major uses of ubquitous, high-speed broadband. The key takeout in the election fallout isn’t the massive number of new policies that have arisen, but the fact that it’s more of the same, and that more of the same means that Australia is inexorably heading down the

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011 | 9

opinion

NBN

time to deliver the goods

F

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Quis ut esecae nonestem anti blaudae nimuscipidit laut estruptam sedit, sinum nus incipiciam que eate

Even with the federal election now behind us, the National Broadband Network (NBN) remains a hot topic for debate among government and opposition parties. However, sifting through the issues, there are clear opportunities coming up for well-positioned government agencies as well as ICT vendors.

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10 | GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011

Even with the federal election now behind us, the National Broadband Network (NBN) remains a hot topic for debate among government and opposition parties.

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eris ditatiu ndipsa dolesse quamus, que offictum apis

Occae etumquat es ad quis denisti aeratae ssenitatum

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011 | 11

opinion

NBN

time to deliver the goods Even with the federal election now behind us, the National Broadband Network (NBN) remains a hot topic for debate among government and opposition parties. However, sifting through the issues, there are clear opportunities coming up for well-positioned government agencies as well as ICT vendors.

F

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12 | GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011

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Occae etumquat es ad quis denisti

Even with the federal election now behind us, the National Broadband Network (NBN) remains a hot topic for debate among government and opposition parties.

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GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Jan/Feb 2011 | 13

FEATURES

IT policy evolves, post-election The Federal Election cliffhanger hinged on the National Broadband Network, but other IT policies are now coming into play, writes Josh Gliddon

A

ustralia waited on

spend around $43 billion wiring the nation

is to be the benchmark for national

tenterhooks following the August

with fibre. The Opposition took exception

infrastructure, why is her so-called 21st

Federal Election, wondering who

to the dollars being spent, and in the final

century equivalent proceeding without any

would form government and which way

days of the campaign came back with a $6

of the analysis that preceded the Snowy

the independents would jump.

billion counter-offer that threw a variety

scheme?” the post read.

It’s now history that while Bob Katter

of existing technologies, including wireless

That was enough for Stephen Conroy,

ended up plumping for the Liberals, Rob

and a fibre back-haul, into the mix.

the reappointed Minister for Broadband,

Oakeshott and Tony Windsor went with

Since then, the NBN has remained as

Communications and the Digital

Labor, allowing Julia Gillard to form a

divisive as ever. Liberal leader Tony Abbott

Economy, to come out swinging.

minority government.

appointed Malcolm Turnbull to the role of

Speaking on ABC News24, Conroy said

However, it was the reasons why

Shadow Communications Minister, with

that “[Turnbull] came out and opposed,

Oakeshott and Windsor went with

a specific remit to take the government to

opposed, opposed. He opposed legislation

Labor that were, for those interested

task on the NBN.

almost unilaterally — it doesn’t matter what it was, he opposed it all when

You do it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre.” Tony Windsor

he became leader — and the same is happening again.”

“We have this piece of legislation that Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull won’t pass in the parliament and have

in technology, the most illuminating

A few short hours after winning the

stalled for eight months.” Conroy was

part of the whole game. On that day on

portfolio, Turnbull blasted the NBN

referring to telecommunications reform,

September 7, Tony Windsor took the

scheme, saying that it would waste

and in particular the potential structural

microphone ahead of Oakeshott. After

“tens of billions” of taxpayer dollars. In

separation of Telstra. He then veered

thanking both leaders, he got down to

response to the Labor government likening

back to the NBN, saying that “there will

business. And the business at hand was

the NBN to the Snowy River Scheme,

be a slower rollout, there will be a more

technology – in particular, the National

Turnbull had this to say in an Internet

expensive total cost of the build caused

Broadband Network (NBN).

post:

by Tony Abbott — we will have more

“The issues that I thought were critical

“A joint Commonwealth and State Snowy

overhead cabling because of Tony Abbott.”

to this ... was broadband. There’s an

River Committee was established to

The ABC’s Insiders program gave

enormous opportunity for regional

investigate the financial viability of the

Turnbull the opportunity to shoot back,

Australia to engage with the infrastructure

proposal.... The cost of the project was

saying that he is “not seeking to wreck or

of this century,” said Windsor.

thoroughly analysed, as were the benefits

destroy anything, nor demolish”.

He continued: “My advisors in relation to

to electricity generation and irrigation.”

“My objective is to get some real

the broadband technology – and there are

Turnbull argued that whatever the

transparency and accountability on this.

a number of them – suggest that you do

economic or environmental impact of the

We need to have a more informed debate

it once, you do it right and you do it with

Snowy Scheme may look like today, the

about it. We are talking about spending a

fibre.”

infrastructure project had been the subject

really stupendous amount of money, and

In one breath, he captured what had

of a “rigorous analysis” and public debate

our job in the Opposition is to hold them

become (boat people aside) the most

before construction was commenced.

to account for that,” he said.

divisive issue of the entire campaign. The

“So the question for Julia Gillard is

Turnbull said that the opposition’s

incumbent Labor government promised to

this: if the Snowy Mountains scheme

broadband policy had not changed post-

10 | www.govtechreview.com.au

‘‘

Government agencies should now license Public Sector Information (PSI) under Creative Commons —as the default licence type.

’’

election, but he also intimated that it

The Australian Computer Society’s

“due diligence and on a case-by-case

would evolve over the ensuing three

Chief Executive, Bruce Lakin, was

basis”.

years, saying that it was only logical

equally bullish about the additional

e-health also remains a key IT

that it should do so. He was unable,

responsibilities, saying that it would

platform for the federal government

however, to clarify how it would

“firmly link ICT with productivity”.

following the kick off of its e-health

change, or over what timeframe

Information technology funding

policy in July this year. On July

those changes would occur.

also found itself in the crosshairs

1, every Australian, along with

during the election campaign, with

Australian health service providers

Digital productivity

the Gillard government deciding

and clinicians, became eligible for

One of the lesser-known technology

to take the razor to the $1 billion

a 16-digit individual healthcare

policy developments following

ICT Investment Fund that was

identifier number.

the election also concerns

established in the wake of the

The government had pre-committed

Communications Minister, Stephen

Gershon Review. The government

$467 million to creating personal

Conroy. In addition to his existing

has promised to cut the fund by

electronic healthcare records

Broadband, Communications and

nearly half ($447.5 million) in a

for every Australian by 2012.

the Digital Economy Ministry,

bid to return the budget to surplus

The election did not change this

Conroy was made Minister Assisting

within three years, a move that

commitment, which is viewed by

Senator Stephen Conroy, now also

the PM on Digital Productivity.

raised eyebrows in some quarters.

the industry as an inadequate figure

the Minister Assisting the PM on

The move was generally well

AGIMO gets a new master

to establish a full service e-health

Digital Productivity

“If the Snowy Mountains Scheme is to be the benchmark for national infrastructure, why is [the NBN] proceeding without any of the analysis that preceded the Snowy Scheme?” Malcolm Turnbull received, with industry figures

Also in the wake of the election

system in Australia. It is, however,

applauding Conroy’s additional

was the shift of ICT responsibilities

seen as a good first step. The

responsibilities. Speaking

via the Australian Government

Liberals had said that they would kill

with industry publication,

Information Management Office

off the $467 million commitment

Computerworld, the Australian

(AGIMO) from the portfolio of

if they won office in a bid to return

Information Industry Association’s

Minister Penny Wong to that of

the budget to the black. With the

Chief Executive, Ian Birks, said

Special Minister of State, Gary

re-election of the Labor party,

that the appointment created

Gray. In the past, AGIMO has

e-health, which is overseen by the

opportunities for the key messages

traditionally sat within the finance

Department of Health and Ageing

of ICT to be promulgated at the

portfolio.

and implemented by the National

highest levels of government.

The move hasn’t stopped AGIMO

E-Health Transition Authority

“We find it hard as an industry to

from innovating. In early October,

(NEHTA), is likely to go ahead.

engage with the Health Department,

it announced through its blog

The NBN and e-health are intimately

the Education Department or with

that government agencies should

entwined, with electronic health

energy agencies, so this minister and

now license their Public Sector

applications, such as imaging and

portfolio is a great opportunity to

Information (PSI) under Creative

teleconsulting, seen as major uses of

drive these issues to the advantage

Commons BY licence as the default

ubquitous, high-speed broadband.

of our industry,” he told the

licence type and only adopt more

The key takeout in the election

publication.

restrictive licences after a process of

fallout isn’t the massive number of

new policies that have arisen, but the fact that it’s more of the same, and that more of the same means that Australia is inexorably heading down the path towards broadband everywhere, and a technologically literate health system.

DECEMBER 2010 | 11

FEATURES

IT policy evolves, post-election The Federal Election cliffhanger hinged on the National Broadband Network, but other IT policies are now coming into play, writes Josh Gliddon

A

ustralia waited on tenterhooks following the August Federal Election, wondering who would

form government and which way the independents would jump.

It’s now history that while Bob Katter ended up plumping for the Liberals, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor went with Labor, allowing Julia Gillard to form a minority government.

However, it was the reasons why Oakeshott and Windsor went with Labor that were, for those interested in technology, the most illuminating part of the whole game. On that day on September 7, Tony Windsor took the microphone ahead of Oakeshott. After thanking both leaders, he got down to business. And the business at hand was

In one breath, he captured what had become (boat people aside) the most divisive issue of the entire campaign. The incumbent Labor government promised to spend around $43 billion wiring the nation with fibre. The Opposition took exception to the dollars being spent, and in the final days of the campaign came back with a $6 billion counter-offer that threw a variety of existing technologies, including wireless and a fibre back-haul, into the mix.

Since then, the NBN has remained as divisive as ever. Liberal leader Tony Abbott appointed Malcolm Turnbull to the role of Shadow Communications Minister, with a specific remit to take the government to task on the NBN. A few short hours after winning the portfolio, Turnbull blasted the NBN

You do it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre.” Tony Windsor technology – in particular, the National Broadband Network (NBN).

“The issues that I thought were critical to this ... was broadband. There’s an enormous opportunity for regional Australia to engage with the infrastructure of this century,” said Windsor.

He continued: “My advisors in relation to the broadband technology – and there are a number of them – suggest that you do it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre.”

12 | www.govtechreview.com.au

scheme, saying that it would waste “tens of billions” of taxpayer dollars. In response to the Labor government likening the NBN to the Snowy River Scheme, Turnbull had this to say in an Internet post: “A joint Commonwealth and State Snowy River Committee was established to investigate the financial viability of the proposal.... The cost of the project was thoroughly analysed, as were the benefits to electricity generation and irrigation.”

Turnbull argued that whatever the

economic or environmental impact of the Snowy Scheme may look like today, the infrastructure project had been the subject of a “rigorous analysis” and public debate before construction was commenced.

“So the question for Julia Gillard is this: if the Snowy Mountains scheme is to be the benchmark for national infrastructure, why is her so-called 21st century equivalent proceeding without any of the analysis that preceded the Snowy scheme?” the post read.

That was enough for Stephen Conroy, the reappointed Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, to come out swinging.

Speaking on ABC News24, Conroy said that “[Turnbull] came out and opposed, opposed, opposed. He opposed legislation almost unilaterally — it doesn’t matter what it was, he opposed it all when he became leader — and the same is happening again.”

“We have this piece of legislation that Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull won’t pass in the parliament and have stalled for eight months.” Conroy was referring to telecommunications reform, and in particular the potential structural separation of Telstra. He then veered back to the NBN, saying that “there will be a slower rollout, there will be a more expensive total cost of the build caused by Tony Abbott — we will have more overhead cabling because of Tony Abbott.”

The ABC’s Insiders program gave Turnbull the opportunity to shoot back, saying that he is “not seeking to wreck or destroy anything, nor demolish”.

‘‘

Government agencies should now license Public Sector Information (PSI) under Creative Commons —as the default licence type.

“My objective is to get some real transparency and accountability on this. We need to have a more informed debate about it. We are talking about spending a really stupendous amount of money, and our job in the Opposition is to hold them to account for that,” he said.

Turnbull said that the opposition’s broadband policy had not changed post-election, but he also intimated that it would evolve over the ensuing three years, saying that it was only logical that it should do so. He was unable, however, to clarify how

’’

responsibilities. Speaking with industry publication, Computerworld, the Australian Information Industry Association’s Chief Executive, Ian Birks, said that the appointment created opportunities for the key messages of ICT to be promulgated at the highest levels of government.

“We find it hard as an industry to engage with the Health Department, the Education Department or with energy agencies, so this minister and portfolio is a great opportunity to drive these issues to the advantage

“If the Snowy Mountains Scheme is to be the benchmark for national infrastructure, why is [the NBN] proceeding without any of the analysis that preceded the Snowy Scheme?” Malcolm Turnbull it would change, or over what timeframe those changes would occur.

Digital productivity One of the lesser-known technology policy developments following the election also concerns Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy. In addition to his existing Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Ministry, Conroy was made Minister Assisting the PM on Digital Productivity.

The move was generally well received, with industry figures applauding Conroy’s additional

of our industry,” he told the publication.

The Australian Computer Society’s Chief Executive, Bruce Lakin, was equally bullish about the additional responsibilities, saying that it would “firmly link ICT with productivity”.

Information technology funding also found itself in the crosshairs during the election campaign, with the Gillard government deciding to take the razor to the $1 billion ICT Investment Fund that was established in the wake of the Gershon Review.

The government has promised to cut the fund by nearly half ($447.5 million) in a bid to return the budget

to surplus within three years, a move that raised eyebrows in some quarters.

AGIMO gets a new master Also in the wake of the election was the shift of ICT responsibilities via the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) from the portfolio of Minister Penny Wong to that of Special Minister of State, Gary Gray.

In the past, AGIMO has traditionally sat within the finance portfolio.

The move hasn’t stopped AGIMO from innovating. In early October, it announced through its blog that government agencies should now license their Public Sector Information (PSI) under Creative Commons BY licence as the default licence type and only adopt more restrictive licences after a process of “due diligence and on a case-by-case basis”. e-health also remains a key IT platform for the federal government following the kick off of its e-health policy in July this year. On July 1, every Australian, along with Australian health service providers and clinicians, became eligible for a 16-digit individual healthcare identifier number.

The government had pre-committed $467 million to creating personal electronic healthcare records for every Australian by 2012.

The election did not change this commitment, which is viewed by the industry as an inadequate figure to establish a full service e-health system in Australia. It is, however, seen as a good first step. The Liberals had said that they would kill off the $467 million commitment if they won office in a bid to return the budget

Senator Stephen Conroy, now also the Minister Assisting the PM on Digital Productivity

to the black. With the re-election of the Labor party, e-health, which is overseen by the Department of Health and Ageing and implemented by the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), is likely to go ahead.

The NBN and e-health are intimately entwined, with electronic health applications, such as imaging and teleconsulting, seen as major uses of ubquitous, high-speed broadband.

The key takeout in the election fallout isn’t the massive number of new policies that have arisen, but the fact that it’s more of the same, and that more of the same means that Australia is inexorably heading down the path towards broadband everywhere, and a technologically literate health system.

DECEMBER 2010 | 13

FEATURES

Editorial Advisory Board Government Technology Review’s Editorial Advisory Board continues to grow, with Australian Information Industry Association Chief Executive Officer Ian Birks joining us for this issue. Ian becomes part of a process that sees us ask our members, through an online form, what they felt about the previous issue.

Feedback from Issue 2 was mixed, which is good. One member of the board felt our feature on recent Council telephony upgrades was “really old hat [and] not news at all”. Stories that generated far more positive feedback included our report on how ministerial Websites are remade as new appointees fill these roles. “Great story on the need for rapid response teams in the IT space; and the need for archiving,” wrote one board member.

A

nother applauded our

at City of Armadale responded that

retirement,” creating a possible move

that will eventually be developed

columnist, Ovum’s Kevin

“Managing growth is a big one for

to re-platform some applications in

because of greater bandwidth,” he

Noonan, for his critique

cities that have huge development

order to find skilled workers.

wrote. “The last census showed

on shared service. “It’s an example

potential. This year alone we expect

of what continues to be happening

our data storage requirements to

government’s technology policy

of broadband connectivity in our

in the world of IT projects and

grow 3.5 times. This not only leads

priority should be?

community. Obviously there are

government strategy for shared

to problems in managing the data,

A: Linda Shave, former Information

other factors aside from it just not

services,” wrote our board member.

but also to data centre floor space,

Integration and Compliance Manager

being available, but we are hoping

“Too many chiefs and not sufficient

rack density, power, cooling,

at City of Ryde, wrote that at least one

that the NBN will at least increase

understanding of business needs and

disaster recovery needs all need to

new national standard is needed.

the opportunity available to get

processes. Also, another example

be reviewed to cater for expansion.

Data and information protection for

connected within our community. I

of the difference between IT project

Obviously, this then leads to impact

all government agencies and a single

can see as an organisation the ability

management for implementing a new

on the IT budget and priority against

approach to information lifecycle,

to take advantage of using the NBN to

technology system/solution and the

competing business cases from other

are atop her policy wishlist, and she

improve our ability to take advantage

need for a sound implementation/

business units who also feel the pinch

hopes this can be driven by federal

of cloud services both onsite, and

change management/continuous

from development and the need to

government rather than the current

offsite.”

improvement plan lead by the

expand resources.”

state-by-state development of

business.”

Meet your board

“2011 I think will begin to bring

Q: What do you think the new federal

policies, procedures and standards. ”

about the real possibilities of cloud

Q: No-one seems to know what a

us that we have quite a low take-up

Q: Can you get the people you need at present, and what are the skills you wish you could find more of?

for local governments. A focus on

national broadband network will be

Each month, we also ask some of

beginning to better understand each

good for, other than fast Facebook,

Director Federal Government at

our board members to share their

other’s idiosyncrasies and align

video downloads, telemedicine and

global sourcing advisory firm TPI

opinions about the challenges they

standards and some research into

education. What applications have

says,“ Procurement and contract

face. This month, four members have

how local government can get value

you imagined that would work better

negotiations skills are lacking:

helped us out, by answering four

from either a gov cloud or hybrid cloud

on a faster, pervasive, network?

Government is not skilled and

questions.

environment.”

Q: As a government IT leader, are

Bob Gilchrist, IBM’s zSoftware

there any new challenges that have

Sales Leader, responded that

become a priority this year, or that you

“Canberra remains the largest user

see emerging in 2011?

A: City of Armadale’s Holthouse

experienced in this area. Government

believes the NBN will be very beneficial

personnel also have poor written

for his local government area.

communications skills, [and]

“I hope it will improve the ability of

of mainframe MIPs in Australia by a

our community to get connected

A: Adam Holthouse, Manager,

factor of 150 per cent. Many of the

and take advantage of the existing

Information and Communication

skilled resources are approaching

functions of the Internet, not just those

14 | www.govtechreview.com.au

A: Dr. Catherine Jaktman,

this skill seems to be lacking in IT professionals.

DECEMBER 2010 | 15

NEWS in brief

Heading on column wide One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative

have an internal rhythm of maturing and then

destruction’, popularised during the Second

collapse.’ Elkington says are like the rapid

World War by Austrian-born economist

re-growth that occurs after the devastation

Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching

of a bushfire. One such lesson is the idea of

at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies

‘creative destruction’, popularised during

have an internal rhythm of maturing and then

the Second World War by Austrian-born

collapse.’ Elkington says are like the rapid

economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was

re-growth that occurs after the devastation of

then teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued

a bushfire.

that economies have an internal rhythm of

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative

maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says

destruction’, popularised during the Second

are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after

World War by Austrian-born economist

the devastation of a bushfire.

Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies

Mailbox

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

Heading on column One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during the Second World War by Austrianborn economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

HEADING ON COLUMN

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

One such lesson is the idea

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

of ‘creative destruction’,

after the devastation of a bushfire.

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

popularised during the

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

Second World War by

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

Austrian-born economist

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

Joseph Schumpeter,

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

who was then teaching at

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

Harvard. ‘He argued that

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have an

economies have an internal

after the devastation of a bushfire. One such lesson is

internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington

rhythm of maturing and

the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during

says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after the

then collapse.’ Elkington

the Second World War by Austrian-born economist

devastation of a bushfire.

says are like the rapid re-

Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching at Harvard.

growth that occurs after the

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm of

devastation of a bushfire.

maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like the

Heading on column

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during the Second World War by Austrianborn economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation of a bushfire.

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

HEADING ON COLUMN

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

Having worked through

of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like

after the devastation of a bushfire. One such lesson is

several collapses himself,

the rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation of

the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during

however, Elkington

a bushfire. ‘He argued that economies have an internal

the Second World War by Austrian-born economist

readily admits that the

rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington

Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching at Harvard.

immediate effects can be

says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after the

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm of

very unpleasant indeed:

devastation of a bushfire.

maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like the

‘Every time you have one

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm

rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation of a

of these meltdowns, you

of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like

bushfire.

get the rise of political

the rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation of

extremism, nationalism and

a bushfire.‘He argued that economies have an internal

racism. Only after a longer

rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like the

period of time do you get 1 6 | g o v te c h re v i e w.c o m . au

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm

HEADING the box HEADING ON COLUMN One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during the

Heading on column

story

Austrian-born economist

IN SIDE

Second World War by Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching at

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

Harvard. ‘He argued that

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

economies have an internal

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

rhythm of maturing and then

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have an

collapse.’ While collapses

internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington

inevitably have negative

says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after the

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

short-term consequences,

devastation of a bushfire.

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

Heading on column

they also have positive long-

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

term ones, While collapses

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

inevitably have negative

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

short-term consequences,

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

they also have positive long-

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

after the devastation of a bushfire.

term ones, While collapses

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

inevitably have negative

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

short-term consequences,

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

they also have positive long-

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

term ones,

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

Elkington says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs

HEADING ON COLUMN

after the devastation of a bushfire. One such lesson is

Having worked through

the Second World War by Austrian-born economist

several collapses himself,

Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching at Harvard.

however, Elkington readily

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm of

admits that the immediate

maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like the

effects can be very

rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation of a

unpleasant indeed: ‘Every

the idea of ‘creative destruction’, popularised during

Heading on column

time you have one of these

bushfire.

‘He argued that economies have an internal rhythm

meltdowns, you get the

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington says are like

rise of political extremism,

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

the rapid re-growth that occurs after the devastation

nationalism and racism.

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

of a bushfire. the Second World War by Austrian-born

Only after a longer

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have an

economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then teaching

internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington

at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have an internal

EADING ON COLUMN

says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after the

rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’ Elkington

One such lesson is the idea

devastation of a bushfire.

says are like the rapid re-growth that occurs after

of ‘creative destruction’,

One such lesson is the idea of ‘creative destruction’,

the devastation of a bushfire. Second World War by

popularised during the

popularised during the Second World War by Austrian-

Austrian-born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was

Second World War by

born economist Joseph Schumpeter, who was then

then teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies

Austrian-born economist

teaching at Harvard. ‘He argued that economies have

have an internal rhythm of maturin after the devastation

Joseph Schumpeter,

an internal rhythm of maturing and then collapse.’

of a bushfire.

DECEMBER 2010 | 17