The establishment of the Information Technology Industry Innovation Council (ITIIC) recognises the leading role that IT plays across all sectors of our economy and its potential to enable innovation which can transform existing industries, create new ones, enhance Australia's competitiveness, assist with solutions to environmental problems and enhance social inclusion. The Council acts as an advisory body to Minister Combet both in regard to innovation within the sector and IT's potential to foster innovation across the economy.
ITIIC takes leadership in building linkages with the IT sector's stakeholders and the Government's innovation policies and programs including Powering Ideas and the Enterprise Connect network. The Council plays an advocacy role and champions innovation. The Council also seeks to establish links on cross-cutting issues with the other Industry Innovation Councils established by the Minister.
The Australian Government announced the establishment of ITIIC on 5 May 2009.
Membership of the Council
Mr Ian Birks is Chair of the Council. He is the Managing Director and Founder of SKRIB Pty Limited an ICT research and advisory firm. He is also the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). Mr Birks replaces the inaugural Chair Mr John Grant, Managing Director of Data#3 Limited.
The Australian Government announced the Council’s membership on 21 July 2009. Members have been drawn from across the IT spectrum and include representatives of industry, suppliers, users, education, research, government and unions.
Council Work Program
The Council is currently re-evaluating its work program. While the strategic plan [
PDF 60KB] developed following its establishment will continue to help shape its strategic direction, the Council has agreed to tighten both its focus and modus operandi. The Council will pursue its agenda along three major themes – firstly ICT industry development (including commercialising innovative technology); secondly ICT Skills development and thirdly accelerating the transformation of business and government through the application of innovative technology. Where possible, alignment with the National Broadband Network and related Digital Economy initiatives will underlie the Council’s work program.
The Council’s work program will have both proactive and reactive elements and it will fulfil its role to the Minister to:
- Provide strategic advice on innovation priorities
- Champion innovation in industry
- Build connections and collaborate across Councils and with other innovation initiatives.
Further information will be placed on this website when it becomes available.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has emerged as the decade’s biggest shift in the way organisations use IT. The Cloud Computing - Opportunities and Challenges Paper [PDF 852KB] [
RTF 2.77MB] is a summary of advice from the Council regarding the industry development opportunities and challenges presented by the growth of cloud computing.
Council’s Submission to the NBN Inquiry
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications Inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network (NBN) tabled its Broadening the debate report.
ITIIC made a submission to the inquiry which focused on the significance that ubiquitous high speed, high capacity telecommunications such as that delivered by the NBN has to Australia’s future. The Council identifies high quality broadband services as a crucial element in Australia’s successful transformation to a digital economy and our global economic performance. Read the Council's full submission. Read all other submissions.
The then Department of Innovation, Industry Science and Research also made a submission to the inquiry. Read the Department's full submission.
Innovation Profiles
Innovation Profiles are real stories of innovation in industry in Australia. Twenty five members of the Industry Innovation Councils share their views and experiences as innovation leaders. These Innovation Profiles are available in web, video and print formats.
IT Supplier Advocate
On 31 May 2011, the Australian Government announced the reppointment of Mr Don Easter as IT Supplier Advocate. The Advocate's role is to assist Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to continue to receive assistance in taking advantage of opportunities in the government IT market. Mr Easter works closely with ITIIC to promote the interests of SMEs. Further details about the IT Supplier Advocate are available.
The Supplier Advocates initiative is part of the Australian Government's Boosting Australian Industry Participation program announced in July 2009. Further information on the Supplier Advocates initiative is available.
Australian Government Programs and Incentives Available to the ICT Industry
The
Australian Government Programs and Incentives Available to the ICT Industry guide
[PDF 110KB] [
RTF 817KB] provides a summary of Australian Government assistance programs that are available to the ICT Industry. The information includes a range of Australian Government programs which may help ICT companies to create, innovate, grow and compete globally.
Contacts
The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education provides secretariat support to the Council. The Departmental contact is:
The Manager, ITIIC Secretariat
Mail: GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6276 1708
Email: itiic.secretariat@innovation.gov.au
Further information about other industry innovation councils is available.