Announcement
Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research announced on 5 May 2009 the establishment of the Information Technology Industry Innovation Council (ITIIC) and the appointment of Mr John Grant, Managing Director of Data#3 Limited, as Chair.
The establishment of 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 the Minister 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.
Membership of the Council
Mr John Grant is Chair of the Council. Mr Grant manages a successful Australian company providing IT solutions to industry and government. He is also the Chairman of the Australian Information Industry Association. Minister Carr 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. A 
listing of the current members of the Council is available here.
Strategic Plan
The Council finalised its strategic plan and has agreed on a number of milestones that it will pursue during 2010. These milestones identify the Council's immediate priorities and are the first steps in achieving the Council's agreed outcomes. The strategic plan was debveloped taking into account input from stakeholders provided during the round of consultations undertaken in August 2009. Council thanks those stakeholders who took the time to provide their views on the issues facing the ICT sector and its role in innovation. A copy of the 
strategic plan is provided here.
Council Meetings
9 March 2010
18 November 2009
21 July 2009
The next meeting of the Council is on 23 June 2010.
"Technology First" - Chair John Grant puts his views
Chair of the Council and the AIIA John Grant put his views on innovation and the role of technology in an article for the Australian Computer Society’s (ACS) journal Information Age Oct/Nov edition.
Mr Grant posits the view that current economic conditions dictate efficiency as a priority and that a reassessment of traditional business models is required. Investing in technology will return benefits well in excess of its cost and well into the future. In an increasingly digital world can we afford to act otherwise?
Mr Grant’s article is reproduced here with the kind permission of the ACS.
Chair's Article PDF (3352KB)
Built Environment Industry Innovation Council (BEIIC)
ITIIC is represented on the Built Environment Digital Modelling Working Group established under the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council. The Working Group is seeking to develop the sector's capabilities for adopting integrated digital models and technology to address the range of issues facing the built environment industry. Given that ICTs feature large in this modelling technology, ITIIC has agreed to participate in the Working Group.
The Working Group has developed a discussion paper to explore the issues surrounding the adoption of digital models and technology. A copy of that discussion paper and further information on the Working Group is available.
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 27 April 2010 Minister Carr announced the appointment of Mr Don Easter as Supplier Advocate for the IT sector. Some background on Mr Easter is contained in the Minister's media release. The role of the Supplier Advocate is to champion and lead industry initiatives aimed at helping Australian SMEs win a greater share of contestable procurement opportunities in the government marketplace and in the supply chains of multinational IT companies operating in Australia. Mr Easter will work with ITIIC to assist SMEs to pursue more ambitious outcomes.
The Supplier Advocate initiative is part of the Australian Government's Boosting Australian Industry Participation program announced in July 2009. Further information on the initiative and notification of appointments of Supplier Advocates is available.
Contacts
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research 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
To view information on the other industry innovation councils please click here.