Government to open the data vault

For the first time Queenslanders will get their say on how public data can benefit the State as part of an interactive forum to be held on 3 April, Premier Campbell Newman announced in Parliament today.

The Opening the Vault: Open Data in Queensland forum will strengthen ties between industry, government and the community so more social and economic opportunities can be generated for Queenslanders.

Mr Newman said the government regularly collected, generated and stored raw data from an array of fields.

“That data will now be released as part of this government’s commitment to an open data revolution,” Mr Newman said.

“All these datasets can be used by non-government organisations, businesses and individuals in an endless number of practical ways to deliver real benefits for Queensland and all who live here.

“This free forum will get everyone in the same room to talk about how this information can be used to create new applications and innovative solutions to problems.

“Anyone intrigued by open data should come along because they will have the chance to talk to government data custodians, share their ideas and explain what kind of datasets they would like to see made available.”

Examples of datasets already publicly available include: vehicle registrations, register of need for adults with a disability, public transport network data, crime statistics, locations of public land and school performance data. More datasets will be progressively added.

Opening the Vault: Open Data in Queensland will take place at The Edge at the Cultural Centre, South Bank. The program features speakers, case studies and open data exhibits. Representatives from a variety of government departments will attend.

People will be invited to pitch ideas as part of a pre-event competition and a number of pitches will be chosen to present live at the forum. Prizes will be awarded for creative pitches that have can potentially be developed into applications that benefit Queensland.

Registrations for the event open today and information is available online at www.qld.gov.au/data or by calling 07 3405 5215.

[ENDS] 6 March 2013

Media Contact: Premier's Office 07 3224 4500